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THE 



EAKTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 



EAETHS IN THE UNIVERSE, 

AND THEIR INHABITANTS; 

THEIR SPIRITS AND ANGELS : 
FROM WHAT HAS BEEN HEARD AND SEEN. 



EMANUEL SWEDENBOKG. 




LONDON : 
tHE SWEDENBOKG SOCIETY, BRITISH ft FOREIGN, 

INSTITUTED ISIO, 



LOHDOir: 

BK1DBT7BT, AGirSW, ft CO., PBHTTXIS, WHIflVBIAU. 



ON THE 

EAETHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 



1. Inasmuoh as, by the Divine mercy of the Lord, the 
interiors of my spirit are open to me, and thereby it has 
been granted me to discourse not ooly with spirits and 
angels who are near our earth, but also with those who 
are near other earths ; and whereas I had a desire to know 
whether other earths exist, and of what sort they are, 
and what the quality of their inhabitants, therefore it has 
been granted me of the Lord to discourse and converse 
with spirits and angels who are from other earths, with 
some for a day, with ^ome for a week, and with some fur 
months ; and to be instructed by them concemiug the 
earths, from which and near which they were ; and con- 
cerning the lives, customs, and worship of the inhabitants 
thereof, with various other things worthy to be noted. 
Because in this manner it has been granted me to bo- 
come acquainted with such things, it is permitted to de- 
scribe them according to what has been heard and seen. 

It is to be observed, that all spirits and angels are 
from the human race ;* and that they are near their re- 
spective earths;^ and that they are acquainted with 
thingii on those earths. Also that by them man may be 
instructed, if his interiors be so open as to be enabled to 
speak and converse with them ; for man .in his essence is 

EXTRACTS PROM THE ARCANA CCELBSTIA. 

^ That there are no spirits and angels, but what were of the 
human race, n. 1880. 

i> That the spirits of every earth are near to their own particu- 
lar earth, because they are from the inhabitemts, and of a genius 
similar to them ; and that they ax« to b« «snv;:fiA.\A!^ tA t^b^voie^ 
2MbitantB, n. 9968. 






*v» 



H'S-'' 






.--'*;* 




^.» 




^<^« 






^^ 

^ whence ^^^^?, vav, 
. moruiug ^^^^^ 

^^,tUeiuoo^^;;\,nu. 
, bc^Ades a lai . . ^^^ 

♦ from t^^<5 '^^ ' u re 
•-Vt irt^Uat sue 



2 ON THE EARTHS IN THE XTNIVERSE. 

a spirit,*^ and together with Epirits as to his interiors ;^ 
wherefore he whose interiors are opened by the Lord, may 
discourse with them, as man with man.*' This has been 
granted me now daily for twelve years. 

2. That there are many earths, and men upon them, 
and thence spirits and angels, is a thing most perfectly 
known in the other life, for it is there granted to 
every one who desires it from a love of truth and conse* 
quent use, to discourse with the spirits of other earths, 
and thereby to be confirmed concerning a plurality of 
worlds, and to be informed, that the human race is not 
confined to one earth only, but extends to earths innu- 
merable ; and moreover to know, what is the particular 
genius, manner of life, and also divine worship, prevailing 
amongst the inhabitants of each particular earth. 

8. I have occasionally discoursed on this subject with 
the spirits of our earth, and the result of our conversation 
was, that any man of an enlarged understanding may 
conclude, from various considerations, that there are 
many earths, and that they are inhabited by men ; for it 
is a suggestion of reason, that so great material masses as 
the planets are, some of which far exceed this earth in 
magnitude, are not empty masses, and created only to be 
conveyed in their revolutions round the sun, and to shine 
with their scanty light for the benefit of one earth, but 
that their use must needs be more enlarged and distin- 
guished. He who believes, as every one ought to believe, 
that the Deity created the universe for no other end, than 

< That the soul, which lives after death, is the spirit of man, 
which is the real man in him, and also appears in another life in 
a perfect human form, n. 322, 1880, 1881, 3633, 4622, 4736, 60&4, 
ae05, 6626, 7021, 105&4. 

* That man, even during his abode in the world, as to his in- 
teriors, consequently as to his spirit or soul, is in the midst of 
spirits and angels, of a quality agreeing to his own, n. 2378, 
3645, 4067, 4073, 4077. 

• That man is capable of discoursing with spirits and angels, 
and that the ancients on our earth did frequently discourse with 

tbem, n. 67, 68, 69, 784, 1634, 1636, 7802. But that at this day it is 
daag^eroue to diBcourse with them, imlesB amaxiXiQ m«>i\xw.^t«&th.^ 
And be Jed of the Lord, n. 784, 9488, 10,761. 



OK Tfi£ SABTlte IK TltE UKtY^BSE. 



that mankind, and thereby heaven, might have existence, 
for mankind is the seminary of heaven, must needs be- 
lieve also, that wheresoever there is any earth, there are 
likewise human beings. 

That the planets, which are visible to our eyes, as being 
within the boundaries of this solar system, are earths, 
may appear manifest from this consideration, that they 
are bodies of earthy matter, because they reflect the light 
of the sun, and when seen through optical glasses, they 
appear, not as stars glittering by reason of their flame, 
but as earths variegated by reason of their opaque spots. 
The same may further appear from this consideration, 
that they, in like manner as our earth, are conveyed by a 
progressive motion round the sun, in the way of the 
zodiac, whence they have their years, and seasons of the 
year, as spring, summer, autumn, and winter ; and in like 
manner, revolve about their own axis, whence they have 
their days, and times of the day, as morning, mid-day, 
evening, and night. Moreover, some of them have moons, 
which are called satellites, and which perform their revo- 
lutions round their central globes, as the moon does round 
our earth. The planet Saturn has besides a large lumi- 
nous belt, as being furthest distant from the sun, which 
belt supplies that earth with much light, although re- 
flected. How is 1^ possible for any reasonable person, ac- 
quainted with these circumstances, to assert that such 
bodies are void, and without inhabitants 1 

4. Moreover, in my discourse with spirits, I have at 
such times suggested, that it is very credible that in the 
universe there are more eaiihs than one, from this con- 
sideration, that the starry heaven is so immense, and the 
stars therein are so innumerable, each of which in its 
place, or in its world, is a sun, and like our sun, though 
of various magnitudes. Every considerate person is led 
to conclude, that so immense a whole must needs be a 
means to some end, the ultimate of creation, which end is 
the kingdom of heaven, wheievn \iVkft iyvTv:Q2^ ^^ik^asi% ^aiv\ 
dwell with Angela and men ; tot \.\iftNf\A\^^^wto^'»»> ^"^ 



ox THE £A&THd VX THE UlilVElUSB. 



the heftven resplendent with stan bo innnmenUe^ which 
an 10 many sons, is only a maans, for the eilateDoe of 
earths^ and of men npon them, of whom may he formed 
a heaTenly kingdom. From these eonaideiationB ereiy 
reasonable person most needs he led to oonedTey that so 
immense a means, adapted to so great an end, was not 
conetitated for a race of men from one earth only, and 
for a heaven thence derired : for what would this he to 
the Diyine Being who is infinite, and to whom thonsands, 
yea, ten thousands of earths, all full of inhabitants^ are 
oomparatiyely small, and scarce of any account. 

6. Moreoyer, the angelic heayen is so immense, that 
it corresponds with all and eveiy thing belonging to 
man, myriads corresponding to eyery member and organ, 
and to all the viscera, and the reitpectiTe affections of 
each ; and it has been given to know, that heaven, as to 
all its correspondences, can b>' no means ezLst, except 
from the inhabitants of very many earths.' 

6. There are spirits whose sole study is to acquire to 
themselyes knowledges, because they are delighted only 
with knowledges. These spirits are permitted to wander 
at large, and even to pass out of this solar system into 
others, and to procure for themselyes knowledges. They 
have declared, that there are not only earths inhabited 
by men, in this solar syatem, but also out of it in the 
starry heaven, to an immense number. These spirits are 
from the planet Mercury. 

7. As to what in general concerns the divine worship 
of the inhabitants of other earths, such amongst them as 
are not idolaters, all acknowledge the Lord to be the only 

' That heaven corrosponds to the Lord, and that man, as to.al' 
and everything belonging to him, corresponds to heaven, anr 
that hence heaven, before the Lord, is a man in a large cfflg; 
and may be called the Grand Man, n. 2996, 2998, 3624— 3&19, 36? 
—8648. 3741 — 3745, 4626. Concerning the correspondence of mai 
and of all things belonging to him, with the Grand Man, whi( 
is heaven, in general, from experience, n. 3021, 3624—3619, 3741 
SZfJ, 3883^-3800, i039-^k)5I, 4218—1228, 4318-4331, 44(03—44 
4aZ-'4633, 4622-46SS, 4652—4660, 4791-4B0&, 4»^\-4&^« l«X 
AW, SJZ2^^289, ^8/7—6990, 0552—5678, 6711—6727,10,0130. 



ON THE EABTHS IN THE XJNTVERSB. 6 

God ; for they adore the Dlyine Being not as inviBible, but 
as visible, for this reason amongst others, becaase when 
the Divine Being appears to them, he appears in a 
haman form, as he also formerly appeared to Abraham 
and others on this earth \« and they who adore the Divine 
Being under a Human Form are all accepted of the 
Lord.^ They say also, that no one can rightly worship 
God, much less be joined to Him, unless he comprehends 
Him by some idea, and that God cannot be comprehended 
except in a Human Form ; and if He be not so compre- 
hended, the interior sight, which is of the thought, con- 
cerning God, is dissipated, as the sight of the eye is, when 
looking upon the boundless universe; and that in this 
case the thought must needs sink into nature, and worship 
nature instead of God. 

8. When they were told that the Lord on our earth 
assumed the humanity, they mused awhile, and presently 
said that it was done for the salvation of the human race. 



Ov THB Eaeth oa Planet MsBouaT, its Spiaits 

AND Inhabitants. 

9. That the universal heaven resembles one man, who 
is therefore called the Grand Man, and that all and 
everything with man, both his exteriors and interiors, 
correspond to that man or heaven, is an arcanum 
not as yet known in the world ; but that it is so, has 
been abundantly proved.' To constitute that Grand Man, 
there is need of spirits from many other earths, those 

c Tliat the inhabitants of all the earths adore the Divine Being 
under a Human Form, coneSquentl^ the Lord, n. 8641 — 8547, 
10,169, 10,736, 10,737, 10,738. And that they rejoice when they 
hear that God was actuallj made Man, n. 9361. That it is im- 
possible to think of God except in a Human Form, n. 8706, 9369, 
9972. That man may worship and love what he has some idea 
of, bat not what he has no idea. ot,Ti. «^,tJV\a>^«8S»>TfJKS.x^«K^x 

10 (Ml 

* That the Lord roceWca a\l\7\LO w^^ Vxv ^^^>^?^^^ '^^^ 
th© Divine Being und^r a,Hxuxia3Q.'EoTKa,T\.»'^^Rft*^^^''^ 



6 ON THE BAETHS iN THE TTNIVERSE. 

who come from our earth into heaven not being sufficient 
for this purpose, being respectively few ; and it is pro- 
vided of the Lord, that whensoever there is a deficiency 
in any place as to the quality or quantity of correspon- 
dence, a supply be instantly made from another earth, to 
fill up the deficiency^ that so the proportion may be pre- 
served, and thus heaven be kept in due consistence. 

10. It was also discovered to me from heaven, in what 
relation to the Grand Man tb/e spirits from the planet 
Mercury stand, namely, that they have relation to the 
memory, but to the memory of things abstracted from 
terrestrijkl and merely material objects. Since however 
it has been granted to discourse with them, and this 
during several weeks, and to learn their nature and 
quality, and to observe how the inhabitants of that earth 
are particularly circumstanced, I shall adduce what has 
been thus experimentally made known to me. 

11. On a time some spirits came to me, and it was de- 
clared from heaven, that they were from the earth which 
is nearest to the sun, and which in our earth is known 
by the name of the planet Mercury. Immediately on 
their coming, they explored my memory in search of all 
that I knew : spirits can do this most dexterously, for 
when they come to man, they see in his memory all 
things contained therein.^ During their inquiries after 
various things, and amongst others, after the cities and 
places where I had been, I observed that they had no in- 
clination to know anything of temples, palaces, houses, or 
streets, but only of those things which I knew were trans- 
acted in those places, also of whatever related to the rule 
and government therein prevailing, and to the tempers 
and manners of the inhabitants, with other things of a 
similar nature : for such things cohere with places in 

' TbAt apirits enter into all the tbings of man's memory, n. 

^jS8, 5863, 6192, 0193, 6108, 6199, 6214. Tliat angoVft exk.\«t voJtfi ^^- 

«^cfi/ozw aad ends, from vrhich and for the aa^o ot ^\aG\^Taa 

^oToxS^J^Jr' ^^dacta in such aiidBucliamaMi«.x vq.^tq1q^^u« 



OP THE PLANET MEBCURY. 



man's memory ; wherefore when the places are excited in 
remembrance, those things also are brought to view at the 
same time. I was much surprised to find them such ; where- 
fore I asked them, why they disregarded the magnificence 
of the places, and only attended to the things and circum- 
stances connected therewith. They answered, because 
they had no delight in looking at things material, corpo* 
real, and terrestrial, but only at things real : hence it was 
confirmed, that the spirits of that earth, in the Grand 
Man, have relation to the memory of things abstracted 
from what is material and terrestrial. 

12. It was told me, that such is the life of the in- 
habitants of that earth, namely that they have no concern 
about things terrestrial and material, but only about the 
statutes, laws, and forms of government, which prevail 
among the nations therein; also about the things of 
heaven, which are innumerable : and I was further in- 
formed, that several of the paen of that earth converse 
with spirits, and that thence they have the knowledges 
of spiritual things, and of the states of life after death ; 
and thence also their contempt of things corporeal and 
terrestrial ; for they who know of a certainty, and believe, 
that they shall live after death, are concerned about 
heavenly things, as being eternal and happy, but not 
about worldly things, only so far as the necessities of life 
require. Inasmuch as the inhabitants of the planet 
Mercury are of such a quality, therefore also the spirits 
who are from thence are so likewise.^ 

13. With what eagerness they inquire into and 
imbibe the knowledges of things, such as belong to the 
memory elevated above the sensualities of the body, was 
made manifest to me from this circumstance, that when 
they looked into those things which I knew respecting 
heavenly subjects, they passed hastily through them all, 
declaring every instant the nature of esAhi for ^han. 
spirits come to man, t\ie^ eii\.ct VoJwi ^Xsm^ xs^RKs^sst^^'^^ 
excite thence whatever B\xi\s\\icrcEA^^«^\^^'^>^^^^^^ 
often observed, they x^d \\v^ ^\»s^^ ^Q^i.xswxsiW^^ ^^^'^ 



8 ON THE EAKTHS IN THB TTNIYEHSE. 

as out of a book.^ These Bpirits did this with greater 
dexterity and expedition, because they did not stop at 
such things as are heavy and sluggish, and which confine 
and consequently retard the internal sight, as all terres- 
trial and corporeal things do, when regarded as ends, 
that is, when alone loved ; but they looked into things 
essential: for such things, which are not clogged with 
things terrestrial, elevate the mind upwards, thus into a 
wide field ; whereas mere material things sii^ the mind 
downwards, and at the same time contract and shut it up. 
Their eagerness to acquire knowledges, and to enrich 
the memory, was manifest also from the following circum- 
stance : on a time whilst I was writing somewhat con- 
cerning things to come, and they were at a distance, so 
that they could not look into those things from my 
memory, because I was not willing to read them in their 
presence, they were very indignant, and contrary to their 
nsual.behaviour, they were desirous to abuse me, saying that 
I was one of the worst of men, with such like indignities ; 
and that they might give proof of their resentment, they 
caused a kind of contraction attended with pain on the 
right side of my head even to the ear ; but these things 
did not hurt me : nevertheless, in consequence of having 
done evil, they removed themselves to a yet greater 
distance, but presently they stood still again, desirous to 
know what I had written : such is their eager thirst after 
knowledges. 

14. The spirits of Mercury, above all other spirits, 
possess the knowledges of things, as well respecting this 
solar system, as respecting the earths which are in the 
starry heaven; and what they have once acquired to 
themselves, that they retain, and also recollect it as often 
as any thing similar occurs. Hence also it may appear 
manifest, that spirits have memory, and that it is much 
more perfect than the memory of men ; and further, that 
^Ma^ thejrhetw, see, and perceive, they i«\&\xi, «ai<i ^^^ 

of Ati^ the spirits who are attendant on. maao.. wt«> ^ ^«aft«sStt 

*^ 9JI thin era hf^lr^r,^ *^ i-^_ !rr_r___ -. Ror«* RORT RftRft-«&Sft. 



OF THE Planet mebcuey. 9 

cially such things as delighl them, as these spirits are 
delighted with knowledges; for whatever things cause 
delight, and affect the love, these flow in as it were spon- 
taneously, and remain ; other things do not enter, but 
only touch the surface and pass by. • 

15. When the spirits of Mercury come to other 
societies, they explore and collect from them what they 
know, and then they depart ; for such communication is 
granted amongst spirits and especially amongst angels, 
that when they are in a society, if they are accepted 
and loved, all things which they know are communi- 
cated.^ 

,16. In consequence of their knowledges, the spirits of 
Mercury have an extraordinary degree of haughtiness ; 
wherefore they are given to understand, that although they 
know innumerable things, yet there are infinite things 
which they do not know ; and that if their knowledges 
should increase to eternity, the notice even of all general 
things would still be unattainable. They are told like- 
wise of their haughtiness and high-mindedness, and how 
QBbeeoming such a temper is; but. on such occasions 
they r^ly, that it is not haughtiness, but only a glorying 
by reason of the faculty of their memory; thus they 
have the art of exculpating themselves, and excusing 
their foibles. 

17. They are averse to discourse consisting of vocal 
expressions, because it is material; wherefore when I 
conversed with them without intermediate spirits, I could 
only do it by a species of active thought Their memory, 
as consisting of things not of images purely material, 
affords a nearer supply of its objects to the thought ; for 
the thought, which is above the imagination, requires for 
its objects things abstracted from material. But not- 



1 That in the- heavens there ia given. ». ciOTt\Tf>\yt\\qa^^T>. <^ -sS^ 




iO,130, 10,729, 



10 ON THE EARTHS IN ^HE UNIVEESE. 

withstanding this, the spirits of Mercury are little dis- 
tinguished for their judgment, having no delight in the 
exercise of that faculty, and the deducing of conclusions 
from knowledges; for bare knowledges alone are the 
things which give them pleasure. 

18. They were questioned, whether they proposed to 
themselves any use from their knowledges ; and at the 
same time it was represented to them, that it is not 
enough to be delighted with knowledges, because know- 
ledges have respect to uses, and uses ought to be the ends 
of knowledges ; from knowledges alone no use results to 
them, but to others with whom they are disposed to com- 
municate their knowledges ; and that it is very inexpe- 
dient for any one, who wishes to become wise, to rest 
satisfied with mere knowledges, these being only ad- 
mfnistering causes, Intended to be subservient to the 
investigation of things belonging to life : but they replied, 
that they were delighted with knowledges, and that 
knowledges to them are uses. 

19. Some of them also are not willing to appear as 
men, like the spirits of other earths, but as crystalline 
globes; the reason why they are desirous to appear so, 
although they do not appear so, is, because the know- 
ledges of things immaterial are represented in the other 
life by crystals. 

20. The spirits of Mercury differ totally from the 
spirits of our earth, for the spirits of our earth have not 
BO much concern about immaterial things, but about 
worldly, corporeal, and terrestrial things, which are 
material ; wherefore the spirits of Mercury cannot abide 
together with spirits of our earth, and consequently, 
wheresoever they meet them, they fly away; for the 
spiritual spheres, which are exhaled from each, are almost 
contrary the one to the other. The spirits of Mercury 

jbare a common saying, that they have no inclination to 
JooJt at a sbeatb, but at things strip'^e^ oi \iJaftvt ^^^<&K^^ 
i£ae 18^ at interior things. ^ 

^^' On a time there appeared a ^\vVvU>a. ^ioV^ux^^^ws^^^ 



OP THE PLANET MERCUBY. 11 

which burnt briskly, and this for nearly an hour. That 
flame signified the approach of spirits of Mercury, who 
for penetration, thought, and speech, were more prompt 
than the former spirits. When they were come, they 
instantly ran through the things contained in my 
memory, but I could not perceive what observations they 
made, by reason of their promptitude. I heard them 
afterwards express the quality of some particulars; in 
respect to "what I had seen in the heavens and in the 
world of spirits, they said that they knew those things 
before. I perceived that a multitude of spirits con- 
Bociated with them was behind, a little to the left in the 
plane of the back of the head. 

22. At another time I saw a multitude of such spirits, 
but at some distance from me, in front a little to the 
right, and thence they discoursed with me, but by means 
of intermediate spirits ; for their speech was as quick as 
thought, which does not fall into human speech, but by 
means of other spirits ; and what surprised me, they 
apake not singly, but in a volume together, and yet 
readily and rapidly. Their speech appeared undulatory, 
in consequence of the numbers who spake at the same 
time, and what is remarkable, it was conveyed towards 
my left eye, although they were to the right. The reason 
was, because the left eye corresponds to the knowledges 
of things abstracted from what is material, consequently 
to such things as belong to intelligence; whereas the 
right eye corresponds to such things as belong to wisdom.*" 
They likewise perceived and judged of what they heard 
with the same promptitude with which they discoursed, 
saying of such a thing that it was so, and of such a thing 
that it was not so ; their judgment was as it were instan- 
taneous. 

"* That the eye corresponds to the understanding, because the 
' understanding is internal sight, and the sight ot itrnvQc^a. veqxcai- 
teriaJ, n. 2701, 4410, 4626, 9051, lO.Bea. TYjafe^JoA ^aJSgoS^. ^t 'Caa^s^ 
eve correaponda to truths, conBeq\ieiiU.y \« SxAftXii^'eaRfc » ^^ ^"^ 
m^bt of the right eye corresponds Xo t\iQ ^oo^ o1 \sroJGo^>^^'«^6a5p 
quentHy to wi&domt n. 4ix0. 



12 ON THE EARTHS IN THE TTNIVERSE. 

28. There was a spirit from another earth, who was 
well qualified to discourse with them, being a quick and 
ready speaker, but who affected elegance in his discourse. 
They instantly decided on whatever he spake, saying of 
this, that it was too elegant; of that, that it was too 
polished : so that the sole thing they attended to was, 
whether they could hear anything from him which they 
had never known before, rejecting thus the things which 
were as shades to the substance of the discourse, as all 
affectations of elegance and erudition especially are ; for 
these hide real things, and instead thereof present ex- 
pressions, which are only material forms of things ; for 
the speaker keeps the attention fixed herein, and is 
desirous that his expressions should be regarded more 
than the meaning of them, whereby the ears are more 
affected than the minds of the audience. 

24. The spirits of the earth Mercury do not abide long 
in one place, or within companies of the spirits of one 
world, but wander through the universe. The reason is, 
because they have relation to the memory of things, 

* which memory must be continually stored with fresh sup- 
plies ; hence it is granted them to wander about, and to 
acquire to themselves knowledges in every place. During 
their sojourning in this manner, if they meet with spirits 
who love material things, that is, things corporeal and 
terrestrial, they avoid t^eir company, and betake them- 
selves where such things are no subjects of discourse. 
Hence it may appear, that their mind is elevated above 
things of sense, and thus that they are in an interior 
light. This was also given me actually to perceive, whilst 
they were near me, and discoursed with me : I observed 
at such times, that I was withdrawn from things of sense, 
insomuch that the light of external vision began to grow 
dull and obscure. 
J8S. The Bpiriis of that earth go in companies and 

pJuUanxea, aad when assembled toget\ieT, \.\L<e^ loxm v '*- 
>Y^ro agrlobe; thus they are joined togel\iwM ^^^'^ 
««^ tliejr xu^y ^^f. jjj unity, aud lUat. lU^'^wx^^^^^^ 



OV TttB 1»LANET MEECttRY. 13 

each may be communicated with all^ and the knowledges 
of all with each, as is the case in heaven. H^hat they 
wander through the universe to acquire the knowledges 
of things, appeared to me also from this circumstance, 
that once, when they appeared very remote from me, 
they discoursed with me thence, and said, that they were 
then gathered together, and journeying out of the sphere 
of this world into the starry heaven, where they knew 
■ach spirits existed as had no concern about terrestrial 
and corporeal things, but only about things elevated 
above them, and that they were desirous to associate 
with those spirits. It was said that they themselves 
do not know whither they jtre journeying, but that they 
are led by the Divine guidance to those places where they 
may be instructed concerning such things as they are yet 
nnacquainted with, and which agree with the knowlec^s 
that they have already. It was said further, that they do 
not know how they find the companies with whom 
they are joined together, and that this also is of Divine 
direction. 

86. In consequence of their thus journeying through 
the universe, and thereby being enabled to know more 
than others respecting the worlds and earths out of the 
sphere of our solar system, I have also discoursed with 
them on this subject. They said that in the universe 
there are very many earths inhabited by men ; and that 
they wonder how any should suppose, whom they called 
men of little judgment, that the heaven of the Omni- 
potent Ood consisted only of spirits and angels who come 
from one earth, when these comparatively are so few, that 
in respect of the Omnipotence of God they are scarce any- 
thing, nor would it alter the case even supposing there 
were myriads of worlds, and myriads of earths. They 
declared moreover, that they knew there were earths 
existing in the universe to the number of some hundred 
thousands and upwards; and yet what is this to the 
Pi vine Being who is Infinite *( 

j9Z The spirits of Mercxoy , ^\io 'v^t^ ^XftxAKo^. >vs^ 



14 ON THE EAETHS IK THE XTNIVEESE. 

me 'whilst I was writing and explaining the Word as to its 
internal sense, and who perceived what I wrote, said that 
the things which I wrote were very gross, and that almost 
all the expressions appeared as material ; but it was given 
to reply, that to the men of our earth what was written 
seemed subtle and elevated, and many things incompre- 
hensible. I added, that some on this earth do not know 
that it is the internal man which acts on the external, and 
causes the external to live ; and that they persuade them- 
selves from the fallacies of the senses that the body has 
life, and that in consequence thereof, such as are wicked 
and unbelieving entertain doubts respecting a life after 
death ; also, that the part of man which is to live after 
death is not by them called spirit, but soul ; and that 
they dispute what soul is, and where is its abode, and 
believe that the material body, although dispersed 
to all the winds, is to be joined again to it, in order 
that man may live as man; with many other things 
of a like nature. The spirits of Mercury, on hearing 
these things, asked, whether such men could become 
angels; and it was given to answer, that those become 
angels who have lived in the good of faith and charity, 
and that then they are no longer in external and material 
things, but in internal and spiritual ; and when they 
come into that state, that they are in a light superior to 
that in which the spirits from Mercury are. To convince 
them that it was so, an angel was allowed to discourse 
with them, who had come into Heaven from our earth, 
having lived in the good of faith and charity, concerning 
whom more will be said presently. 

28. On another occasion, there was sent me by the 
spirits of Mercury a long piece of paper, of an irregular 
shape, consisting of several pieces pasted together, which 
appeared as if covered with print, like our printed books. 
I asked whether they had the art of printing amongst 
them; bat they said they had not, nevertheless they 
Mnew that on our earth we had auc\ipi\n.U^^^'^«t^. TViftY 
^f^ no iacliuAtion to say more; \)\x\ili^wcw?%^\Jo»X»^v| 



OF THE PLANET MERCUBY. 15 



thought that knowledges with us were upon our paper^ 
and not so much in our understandings, thus in a sneer- 
ing way insinuating, that our papers knew more than we 
ourselves did ; they were instructed however how the real 
case was in this respect. After some time they returned, 
and sent me another paper, which appeared also printed 
like the former, hut not so pasted together and irregular, 
but neat and handsome. They said, that they were fur- 
ther informed, that in our earth there are such papers, 
and books made of them. 

29. From the above account it appears manifest, that 
spirits retain in the memory what they see and hear in 
another life, and that they are capable of being instructed 
alike as when they were men in the world, consequently 
of being instructed in things belonging to faith, and 
thereby of being perfected. In proportion as spirits and 
angels are of a more interior character, in the same pro- 
portion they receive instruction more readily, and in a 
greater fulness, and retain it more perfectly : and inas- 
much as this faculty abides for ever, it is evident that they 
are continually advancing in wisdom. With the spirits 
of Mercury there is a constant growth in the science of 
things, but not in wisdom thence derived, because they love 
knowledges, which are means, but not uses which are 
ends. 

80. The particular genius of the spirits who are from 
the planet Mercury, may still further appear from the 
following account It is to be observed, that all spirits 
and angels whatsoever were once men ; for the human 
race is the seminary of heaven ; also that the spirits are 
altogether such, as to afifections and inclinations, as they 
were during their life in the world whilst men ; for every 
one's life follows him into another world.*^ This being 

" That every one's life remains with him and follows him after 
death, n. 4227, 7M0. That the externals of life are kept closed 
after death, and the internals opened, n. 4314, 6128^ 6496. Tha& 
then all and every the thing of thousVil wc^ Ta»A<a xDaaal^'«^.^^% 
4d33, 6128, 



16 ON THE BAKTHS DT THE TTKlVEBSE. 

the case, the genius of the men of e^ery earth may be 
known from the genius of the spirits who come from 
thence. 

81. Inasmnch as the spirits of Mercury in the Grand 
Han have relation to the memory of things abstracted 
from what is material, therefore when any one discourses 
with, them concerning things terrestrial, corporeal, and 
merely worldly, they are altogether unwilling to hear 
him ; and if they ate forced to hear, they transmute the 
things spoken of into other things, and for the most part 
into things contrary, that they may avoid attending to 
them. 

82. That I might be fully conyinced of this their par- 
ticular genius, it was allowed to represent to them mea- 
dows, fallow lands, gardens, woods, and rivers, to repre- 
sent such things is imaginatively to exhibit them before 
another, in which case, in the other world, they appear to 
the life ; but they instantly transmuted them, obscuring 
the meadows and fallow fields, and by representations 
filling them with snakes. The rivers they made black, so 
that the water no longer appeared limpid. When I asked 
them why they did so, they said that they had no inclination 
to think of such things, but of things real, which are the 
knowledges of things abstracted from what is terrestrial, 
especially of such things as exist in the heavens. 

88. Afterwards I represented to them birds of 
different sizes, both large and small, such as exist on our 
earth ; for in the other life such things may be represented 
to the life. When they saw the birds represented, they 
were disposed at first to change them, but afterwardf 
they were delighted with them and seemed satisfied ; th« 
reason was, because birds signify the knowledges of thingr 
and the perception of this signification flowed in also f 
that instant '° thus they desisted from transmuting thei 

<* That birds signify things rational, things inteUecto 
thoughts, ideas, and knowledges, n. 40, 746, 776, 778, 866, £ 
ffff^ SI49, T4il. And this with a vaxiety qacoxQixcv^ \a \Xv& kl 
aadapecioB of birds, n. 8219. 



OP THE PLANET MEEOUEYr 17 

and thereby from averting the ideas of their memory. 
AfterwardR it was allowed to represent before them a most 
pleasant garden full of lamps and lights ; instantly they 
paused, and their attention was fixed, by reason that 
lamps with lights signify truths which are lucid by virtue 
of good.P Hence it was made manifest that their atten- 
tion might J>e fixed in viewing things material, if the 
signification of those things in a spiritual sense was but 
insinuated at the same time ; for the things belonging to 
Buch spiritual sense are not so abstracted from things 
material, being representative thereof. 

84. Moreover I discoursed with them concerning sheep 
and lambs, but they were not disposed to hear of such 
things, because they were perceived by them as things 
terrestriaL The reason was, because they did not under- 
stand what innocence is, which lambs signify, as was per- 
ceivable from this circumstance, that when I told them 
that 'lambs, represented in heaven, signify innocence,*! 
they immediately said that they did not know what inno- 
cence was, but only knew it as to the name ; and this was, 
because they are afiTected only with knowledges, and not 
▼ith uses, which are the ends of knowledges, consequently 
they cannot know, from internal perception, what inno- 
cence is. 

35. Some of the spirits of the earth Mercury on a 
time came to me, being sent by others, with intent to 
learn what I was employed about, to whom one of the 
spirits of our earth said, that they might tell those who 
sent them not to speak any thing but what was true, and 
not^ according to their usual practice, suggest things 
opposite to what they are questioned about ; for if any 
of the spirits of our earth were to do so, they would be 
chastised for it. But immediately the company which 
was at a distance, from which those spirits were sent 

p That lamps with lights eignify truths which are ladd by 
virtue ot good, n. 4638, 964fi, 9783. 
« That lamha in heaven, and m^ia\^Qt^,%\©aS.i\sccvc5Rssa^^ 
n. 3994, T840, 10,192, 



18 ON THE EABTHS IN THE TJNIVBBSE. 

made answer, that if they must be chastised on that ao- 
coant, they must all be chastised, inasmuch as by reason 
of acquired habit they could not do otherwise. They 
added, that when they discourse with the men of their 
own earth, they also do so, but this not with any inten- 
tion of deceiving, but to inspire a desire of knowledge ; 
for when they suggest things opposite, and conceal things 
in a certain manner, then a desire of knowledge is excited, 
and thereby from an earnestness to search out and dia- 
coyer those things, the memory is perfected. I also dis- 
coursed with them at another time on the same subjeet, 
and because I knew that they conversed with the men of 
their earth, I asked them in what manner they instraet 
their inhabitants. They said that they do not instmot 
them as to all particulars in relation to the subject matter 
of instruction, but still insinuate some perception thereof, 
that thus a desire of examining and acquiring the know- 
ledge of it may be excited and cherished ; which desire 
would die away, in case they fully explained all particu- 
lars. They added, that they suggest objections of things 
opposite also, for this reason, that the truth afterwards 
may appear more striking ; for all truth is made manifest 
by relation to its opposites. 

86. It is their constant custom not to declare to 
another what they know, but still they desire to learn 
firom all others what is known to them: nevertheless, 
with their own society they communicate all things, inso- 
much that what one knows all know, and what all know 
each one knows in that society.^ 

37. Inasmuch as the spirits of Mercury abound with 
knowledges, they are principled in a species of haughti- 
ness ; hence they imagine that they know so much, that 
it is almost impossible to know more. But it has been 
told them by the spirits of our earth, that their knowledge 
J^ not so extensive as they imagine, but comparatively 
scanty, and that the things which they do not know are 
InSnite in respect to what they do tnoTi^wi^ «a >3tift 
nratejv of the largest ocean compared mOi \,\i^^«X«w^ Q»i^ 



OF THE PLANET MEEOTJBT. 19 

yery unall lonntain ; and farther, that the first step in the 
ladder of wisdom is to know, acknowledge, and perceive 
that what is known is little and scarce anything in coni« 
parison with what is unknown. 

To convince them that this is the case, it was granted, 
that a certain angelic spirit should discourse with them, 
and should tell them in general what they knew, and 
what they did not know, and that there were infinite 
things which they did not know, also that eternity would 
not suffice for their acquiring even a general knowledge of 
things : he discoursed by angelic ideas much more readily 
than they did, and because he discovered to them what 
they knew, and what they did not know, they were struck 
wiUi amazement 

Afterwards I saw another angel discoursing with them; 
he appeared at some height to the right; he was froni 
our earth, and enumerated very many things which they 
did not know ; afterwards he discoursed with them by 
dumges of state, which they said they did not under- 
stand ; then he told them that every change of state con- 
tains infinite things, as did also every smallest part of 
sach change. When they heard these things, inasmuch 
as they had been puffed up with self-conceit by reason of 
their knowledges, they began to humble themselves : 
their humiliation was represented by the sinking down- 
wards of their volume; for that company then appeared 
as a volume, in front at a distance towards the left, in the 
plane of the region below the navel, but the volume ap» 
peared as it were hollowed in the middle, and elevated on 
the sides ; a reciprocal movement was also observed therein. 
They were likewise given to understand what that signi- 
fied, namely, what they thought in their humiliation, and 
that they who appeared elevated on the sides were not as 
yet in any humiliatien. Then I saw that the volume was 
separated, and that they who were not in humiliation . 
were remanded back towards their orb, the rest remainr 
ing' where they were. 
SA Uu A tune theanisitB oi ^&fiK<»in c»aii^\A^<:fti^»^ 



20 OK THE EABTHS IN l^EE TTNIYEESE. 



spirit from our earth who, daring his abode in the world, 
had been most distinguished for his great learning, it was 
Christian Wolf, desiring to receive information from him 
on various subjects ; but when they perceived that what 
he said was not elevated above the sensual things of the 
natural man, inasmuch as in his discourse his thoughts 
were int-ent on fame and honorary distinction, and he 
was desirous, as in the world, for in another life every 
one is like his former self, to connect various things into 
series, and from those series again and continually to 
form other conclusions, and thus to construct a chain of 
several consequences and deductions grounded therein, 
which they did not see or acknowledge to be true, and 
which therefore they declared to be chains which neither 
cohered in themselves, nor with the conclusions, calling 
them obscurity grounded in authority ; they then desisted 
from asking him further questions, inquiring only, how 
this is caUed, and how that ; and whereas he answered 
these inquiries also by material ideas, and by no spiritual 
ones, they retired from him ; for every one, in another 
life, discourses spiritually, or by spiritual ideas, only so 
far as he had believed on God during his abode in the 
world, and materially, so far as he had not believed on Qod. 
An occasion here offering itself^ it may be expedient to 
mention how it fares in another life with the learned who 
imbibe intelligence from their own meditation, kindled 
with the love of knowing troths for the sake of truths, 
thus for the sake of uses abstracted from worldly consi- 
derations, and how with those who imbibe intelligence 
from others without any jmeditation of their own, as is 
the common case with such as desire to know truths 
solely for reputation's sake, that they may be accounted 
learned, and thereby attain worldly honour or gain, thus 
who desire to know truths, not for the sake of uses ab- 
stiBcUd from worldly considerations : concerning such, 
y^29 allowed to relate the following experience. There 
^f"^ perceived on a time somewliat Tio\By,OT %QTL<C!itQ'o&^ 
P^etinting from beneath, near tiio le& la^'ft «^«EL\ft ^^ 



09 THZ PLACET HEllOtTBY. 21 



left ear. I obienred that they were splritB, who there at- 
tempted to force a way ; bat of what sort they were I 
Gonld not know. However, when they had forced a way, 
ih^ spake with me, saying that they were logicians and 
metaphysicians, and that they had immersed their 
thonghts in the sciences ot logic and metaphysics, with 
no other end than to acquire the character of being 
learned, and thus to be advanced to honour and emolu- 
ment, lamenting that they now led a miserable life in 
oonseqnence of applying to those sciences with no other 
end, and thus not having cultivated thereby their ra- 
tional faculties; their speech was slow, and of a dull tone. 
In the mean time there were two discoursing with each 
other above my head, and on inquiring who they were, 
it was said that one of them was a most distinguished 
character in the learned world, and it was given mo to 
believe that it was Aristotle. Who the other was, re- 
mained nntold. The former was then let into the state 
in which he was during his life in the world; for every 
one may easily be let into the state of his life which he 
had in the world, inasmuch as he has with him every 
state of his 'former life : but, what surprised me, ho ap- 
plied himself to the right ear, and there spake, but in a 
hoarse tone of voice, yet with sound sense. From the 
purport of his discourse I perceived, that he was alto- 
gether of a different genius and temper from those 
schoolmen who fir«t ascended, in that he wrote from a 
ground of thought and discernment in himself, and 
thence produced his philosophical discoveries: so that 
the terms which he invented, and which he imposed on 
speculative subjects, were forms of expression by which 
he described interior things; also that he was excited 
to snch pursuits by a delight of the affection, and 
by a desire of knowing the things belonging to the 
thinking and intellectual faculties, and that he followed 
obediently whatever his apiiii V^ ^V&\a.\j^\ ^\kstmr 
ton be applied himaeU to the i\i^\iX* «vc, Qai!tow:<^ ^«^ 
tbe ewKtom ot hi« foUowen, iiYio wt wJ^JbftL ^Sba ii3m*s^ 



22 ON THE EABTHS IN THE T7NIVERSE. 

men, and who do not go from thought to terms, but from 
terms to thoughts, thus in a contrary way ; and several 
of them do not even proceed to thoughts, but stick 
solely in terms, which if- they apply, it is to confirm 
whatever they desire, and to impose on false principles an 
appearance of truth according to their eagerness to per- 
suade others. Hence philosophical investigations lead 
them rather to folly than to wisdom ; and hence they 
have darkness instead of light. 

Afterwards I discoursed with him concerning the 
analytic science, observing, that a child, in half an hour*s 
conversation, speaks more philosophically, analytically, 
and logically, than would be in his power to describe by 
a volume, inasmuch as all things appertaining to thought, 
and to human speech thence derived, are analytical, the 
laws whereof are from the spiritual world ; and he who 
' desires to think artificially from terms, is not unlike 
a dancer, who would learn to dance by the science of the 
moving fibres and muscles, in which science if he should 
fix his mind whilst he i s dancing, it would be almost im- 
possible for him to move a foot ; and yet without that 
science, he moves all the moving fibres throughout the 
whole body, and in subordination thereto he moves the 
lungs, the diaphragm, the sides, the arms, the neck, and 
other organs of the body, to describe all which would re- 
quire many volumes; and the case is exactly similar 
with thore who are desirous to think from terms. 

He approved of these observations, and said, that to 

learn to think in that way is proceediog in an inverted 

order : adding, if any one will be so silly, let him so pro* 

ceed ; but let the thoughts be grounded in use, and flow 

from what is interior. He next showed me, what idea he 

had conceived of the Supreme Deity, namely, that he had 

represented Him to his mind as having a human face, 

Mnd encompassed s^ovX the head with a radiant circle ; 

^ad that now he knew that the Lord ia '^LVai'&^M \.\i«it 

^fiM?r Mnd that the nuliant circle is tYieBWm^ V^ocefc^cca^ 

•Bioij which aot only flows ixito \iew«T^ \s«lN» iJ«ft 



01? THE PLANET MEHCUHY. 23 



into the uiiiyerBe, disposing and raling all things therein. 
He added^ Whosoever disposes and rules heaven, He also 
disposes and rules the universe, because the one cannot 
be separated £rom the other : he also said, that he be- 
lieved only in one Qod, whose attributes and qualities 
were distinguished by a variety of names, and that these 
names were by others worshipped as so many gods. 

There appeared to me a woman, who stretched out her 
hand, desiring to stroke my cheek, at which, when I 
escpressed my surprise, he said that whilst he was in the 
world such a woman had often appeared to him, as it 
were stroking his cheek, and that her hand was beautifuL 
The angelic spirits said that such women sometimes 
appeared to the ancients, and were by them called 
P^illases, and that she appeared to him from the spirits 
who, during their abode on earth in ancient times, were 
delii^hted with ideas, and indulged in thoughts^ but with- 
out philosophy ; and whereas such spirits were attendant 
upon him, and were delighted with him, because he 
thought from what is interior, therefore they representa- 
tively exhibited such a woman to his view. Lastly, he 
informed me what idea he had conceived of the soul or 
spirit of man, which he called Pneuma> namely, that it 
was something invisible and vital, like somewhat of 
aether ; and he said that he knew that his spirit would 
live after death, inasmuch as it was his interior essence, 
which cannot die, because it is capable of thinking ; and 
that moreover he was not able to think clearly concern- 
ing it^ but only obscurely, because he had not formed 
any thought about it from any other source but that of 
his own mind, and a little also from the ancients. It is 
to be noted that Aristotle is amongst sound and sober 
spirits in another life, and that several of his followers 
are amongst the infatuated. 

39. On a time I saw that spirits of our earth were 
with spirits of the earth Mercury, and I heard them dis- 
eaaning together, and the «p\TV\«^ ^^ ^'ox «s»*0&.^ ^b&ss^^S^ 
other things, asked them on ifYiom VJfciK^ \^\w^^ ^'^^j^ss^ 



24 OK THE EAETHS IK THE TJKIVEBSB. 



replied that they believed on God ; but when they inquired 
further concerning the God on whom they believed, they 
would give no answer, it being customary with them not 
to answer questions directly. Then the spirits from the 
earth Mercury, in their turn, asked the spirits from our 
earth on whom they believed. They said that they be- 
lieved on the Lord God. The spirits of Mercury then 
said that they perceived that they believed on no God, 
and that they had contracted a habit of professing with 
the mouth that they believe, when yet they do not^believe. 
The spirits of Mercury have exquisite perception, in con- 
sequence of their continually exploring, by means of per- 
ception, what others know. The spirits of our earth were 
of the number of those who in the world had made pro- 
fession of faith agreeable to the doctrine of the church, 
but still had not lived the life of faith ; and they who do 
not live the life of faith, in the other life have not faith, 
because it is not in the man.' On hearing this they were 
silent, inasmuch as, by a perception then given them, 
they acknowledged that it was so. 

40. There were certain spirits who knew from heaven, 
that on a time a promise was made to the spirits of the 
earth Mercury, that they should see the Lord : wherefore 
they were asked by the spirits about me whether they re- 
collected that promise. They said that they did recollect 
it ; but that they did not know whether the promise was 
of such a nature as that they might depend with certainty 
on its accomplishment. Whilst they were thus discours- 
ing together, instantly the Sun of heaven appeared to 
them. The Sun of heaven, which is the Lord, is seen 
only by those who are in the inmost or third heaven; 
others see the light thence derived. On seeing the Sun, 
they said that this was not the Lord God, because they 

' That they who make prof eBBion of faith agreeable to doc- 
tn'^e, and do not live the life of faith, have no faith, n. 8866, 
^-^^^ ^-^^^ ^^ffO, 7960, 8804. And that their interioxR wc© coutarars 
tSa,^, ^^^^^' although m the world^jtliey do^jic^ ^casrw 



OP THE PLANET MEEOURY. 25 

did not Bee a face. In the meanwhile the spirits dis- 
coursed with each other, but I did not hear what they 
said. But on a sudden, at that instant, the Sun again 
appeared, and in the midst thereof the Lord, encom- 
passed with a solar circle : on seeing this, the spirits 
of Mercury humbled themselyes profoundly, and sub- 
sided. Then also the Lord, from that Sun, appeared to 
the spirits of this earth who, when they were men, saw 
Him in the world ; and they all, one after another, and 
thus several in order, confessed that it was the Lord 
Himself. This confession they made before all the com- 
pany. At the same instant also the Lord, out of the 
Sun, appeared to the spirits of the planet Jupiter, who 
declared with open voice that it was He Himself Whom 
they had seen on their earth when the God of the uni- 
verse appeared tc^them.' 

41. Certain of them, after that the Lord appeared, 
were led off frontwards to the right, and as they ad- 
vanced, they said that they saw a light much clearer and 
purer than they had ever seen before, and that it was im- 
possible any light could exceed it ; and it was then even- 
tide here. There were several who made this declara- 
tion.' 

■ That the Lord is the Sun of heaven, from Whom all light 
therein is derived, n. 1053, 3636, 4060. And that the Lord thus 
Mppears to thoEe who are in His celestial kingdom, where love to 
max is prevalent, n. 1621, 1529, 1530, 1631, lb37, 4686. That He 
appears at a middle distance above the plane of the right eye, 
n. 4321, 7078. That therefore by sun in the word is signified the 
liord as to Divine Love, n. 2495, 4060, 7083. That the sun of this 
world does not appear to spirits and angels, but in the place 
thereof there appears somewhat as it were darkish, not in front, 
but behind, in a direction opposite to the Sun of heaven, or to 
the Lord, n. 9766. 

» That there is in the heavens great light, which exceeds, by 
many degrees, the mid-day light of this world, n. 1117, 1521, 
1633, 1619-1632, 4627, 6400, 8641. That all light in the heavens 
is from the Lord as a Sun there, n. 1063, 1621, 3196, 3341, 3636, 
3643, 4416, 9648, 9684, 10,809. That the Divine Truth proceedixig 
from the Divine Good of the Divine Love of the Lord^^^-^'ds&Nss. 
the heavena as light, and preaenla aS[i\Jafe\\'^!a^.^2sis»X.S3^"^'st'iKSi.^'sv. 

a2«5, 3^22, 6400,8644, 9399, 954e,Wa^. T^^^'^'S^'^ ^^ ^^^^"^ 
iUaminates both the sight aad Ui© \mdJBwXa!Q.^Jsa%^^^^^^^^*^^^ 



28 OK THE EAETHS IN THE TJWIVBESB. 

their greater nearness, to the sun, inasmuch as heat does 
not arise from the sun's nearness, but from the altitude 
and density of the atmosphere, as appears froja the cold 
on high mountains even in hot climates ; also, that heat 
is varied according to the direct or oblique incidence of 
the sun's rays, as is plain from the seasons of winter and 
summer in every region. These are the things which it 
was given me to know concerning the Spirits and inhabi- 
tants of the earth Mercury. 



Of ths Eabth or Planbt Jupitbr, its Spirits 
AND Inhabitants. 

46. It was granted me to enjoy longer intercourse with 
the spirits and angels of the planet Jupiter, than with the 
spirits and angels Trom the rest of the planets ; wherefore 
I am at liberty to be more particular in regard to the 
state of life of them, and of the inhabitants of that 
planet. That those spirits were from that planet was 
evident from many circumstances, and was also confirmed 
by a declaration from heaven. 

47. The real earth or planet Jupiter does not indeed 
appear to spirits and angels : for to the inhabitants of the 
spiritual world no material earth is visible, but only the 
spirits and angels who come thence. They who are from 
the planet Jupiter appear in front to the left, at a con- 
siderable distance, and this constantly, see above, n. 42 ; 
there also is the planet. The spirits of every earth are 
near their respective earth in consequence of having been 
inhabitants thereof, for every man after death becomes a 
spirit, and in consequence of being thus of a similar 
genius and temper with the inhabitants, and of being in 
a capacity thereby of associating with and serving them. 

48. The spirits from the earth Jupiter related that the 
jBaltibude'ot men therein was as great as the earth could 

^appori; that the earth waa fruitful and p\wi\\?\i\ in. «\V 
priHiaetions; that the inliabitants had no deaaiea ^w^otA 



OF THE PLANET JUPITEE. 29 

the necessaries of life ; that they accoanted nothing use- 
fol bat so far as it was necessary ; and that hence the 
number of inhabitants was so great. They said that the 
education of their children was their greatest ooucem, 
and that they loved them most tenderly. 

49. They further related that the inhabitants are dis- 
tinguished into nations, families, and houses, and that 
they all live apart with their own kindred, and that 
hence their connections are confined to relatives ; likewise 
that no one covets another's property, and that it never 
enters into their minds to desire the possessions of 
another, still less to obtain them fraudulently, and least 
of all to extort them by violence. Such violence they 
consider as a criminal act contrary to human nature, and 
regard it as horrible. When I would have told them 
that on this earth the^e are wars, depredations, and mur- 
ders, they instantly turned away from me, and caressed 
an aversion to hear. 

It was declared to me by the angels that the most 
ancient people on this earth lived in like manner as the 
inhabitants of the planet Jupiter, namely, that they were 
distinguished into nations, families, and houses ; that all 
at that time were content with their own possessions ; 
that it was a thing altogether unknown for one person to 
enrich himself at the expense of another, or to aspire at 
dominion from self-love ; and that on this account the 
ancient times, and especially the most ancient, were more 
acceptable to the Lord than succeeding times : and such 
being the state ot the world, innocence also then reigned, 
attended with wisdom ; every one did what was good 
from a principle of good, and what was just from a prin- 
ciple of justice. 

To do what is good and Just with a view to self- 
advancement, or for the sake of gain, was a thing un- 
known. At the same time, they spake nothing but what 
vas true, and this not so much from truth as from ^ood ; 
that ia, not from the inteWeo^i ^^^t^^fc ^wa. 'i^^^^'.^ 
bat from a will joined wiih \iVi^ \\i\,fe>XwXi% 



30 ON THB BABTHS IN THE TJNIYEBSE. 

Sudi were the ancient times ; wherefore angels ooald 
then converse with men, and convey their minds, almost 
separate from things corporeal, into heaven, yea^ could 
conduct them through the heavenly societies, and shew 
them the magnificent and blessed things abounding 
therein, and likewise communicate to them their happi- 
nesses and delights. These times were known also to the 
ancient writers, and were by them called the golden and 
also Satumian ages. The superior excellence of those 
times, as was observed, was owing to this, that men were 
then distinguished into nations, nations into families, 
and families into houses, and every house lived apart by 
itself; and it then never entered into any one's mind to 
invade another's inheritance, and thence acquire to him- 
self opulence and dominion. Self-love and the love of the 
world were then far from men's affections; ever}' one 
rejoiced in his own, and not less in his neighbour's good. . 
But in succeeding times this scene was changed, and 
totally reversed, when the lust of dominion and of laige 
possessions invaded the mind. Then mankind, for the 
sake of self-defence, collected themselves into kingdoms 
and empires ; and inasmuch as the laws of charity and 
of conscience, which were inscribed on the hearts, ceased 
to operate, it l>ecame necessary to enact external laws in 
order to restrain violence, and to secure obedience thereto 
by temporal rewards and punishments. When the state 
of the world was thus changed, heaven removed itself 
from man, and this more and more even to the present 
time, when the very existence of heaven and hell is un- 
known, and by some denied. This account of the primi- 
tive state of the inhabitants of this earth is given, in 
order to show more clearly by the paralled what is the 
state of the inhabitants of the earth Jupiter, and whence 
they have their probity, and also their wisdom, concern- 
ing which more will be said hereafter. 
ifO. Bjr long and frequent conversation with the 
^irlia ofibe earth Jupiter, it was made very mwi\f^t to 
-toe that thejr were better dlapoaed tihaix \.Yi« ijiVxiJua ^l 



OF THE PLANET JUPITEB. 31 

seyeral other earths. The manner of their approach to 
me, their abode with me, and their influx at that time, 
was inexpressibly gentle and sweet. In another life the 
qnality of every spirit manifests itself by an influx, which 
is the communication of its affection. Goodness of dis- 
position manifests itself by gentleness and sweetness ; by 
gentleness, in that it is afraid to do hurt, and by sweet- 
ness, in that it byes to do good. I could clearly distin- 
guish a difference between the gentleness and sweetness 
of the influx proceeding from the spirits of Jupiter, and 
of that which proceeds from the good spirits of our earth. 
When any slight disagreement exists amongst them, they 
said that there appears a sort of slender bright irradia- 
tion, like that of lightning, or like the little swath en- 
compassing glittering and wandering stars ; but all disa- 
greements amongst them are soon adjusted.' Glittering 
stars, which are at the same time wandering, signify 
what is fidse ; but glittering and fixed stars signify what 
Ib true ; thus the former signify disagreement.^ 

61. I could distinguish the presence of the spirits of 
Jupiter, not only by the gentleness and sweetness of their 
approach and influx, but also by this circumstance, that 
for the most part their influx was into the £ace, to which 
they communicated a smiling cheerfulness, and this con- 
tinually during their presence. They said that they com- 
municate a like cheerfulness of countenance to the in- 
habitants of their earth, when they come to them, being 
desirous thus to inspire them with heartfelt tranquillity 
and delight. That tranquillity and delight with which 
they inspired me filled my breast and heart vei^' sensibly ; 
at the same time there was a removal of all evil lusts and 
anxiety concerning things to come, which cause unquiet 
and disturbance, and excite various commotions in the 
mind. 

■ That Stan in the Wordi signify the kn.owl«d!^i9& ^ v^ikAl wbiS^ 
troth, consequently tmtha, u. W^^ ^a4fi, ^fim . kfi& ^Coak ^ah. 
another life truths are represented "by ^x»d «X«»,\sn)S» V^s«^^«1 
wandering stars, n. 1128, 



32 



ON THE EABTHS IN THE XTNIVEBSE* 



Hence was discoverable the quality of the life of the 
inhabitants of the earth Japiter ; for the disposition of 
the inhabitants of any earth may be known by the spirits 
who come thence, inasmnch as every one retains his own 
life after death, and continues to live it when he be- 
comes a spirit. It was very observable that they had a 
state of blessedness or happiness still more interior, 
which was manifest from this circumstance, that their 
interiors were perceived not to be closed, but open to 
heaven ; for in proportion as the interiors are more open 
to heaven, in the same proportion they are the more sus- 
ceptible of receiving divine good, and therewith blessed- 
ness and interior happiness. The case is altogether other- 
wise with those who do not live in the order of heaven : 
the interiors with such are closed, and the exteriors open 
to the world. 

52. It was further shewn me what sort of •fEkces the 
inhabitants of the earth Jupiter had ; not that the in- 
habitants themselves appeared to me, but that the spirits 
appeared with faces similar to what they had during their 
abode on their earth. But previous to this manifesta- 
tion, one of their angels appeared behind a bright cloud, 
who gave permission ; and instantly two faces were pre- 
sented to view. They were like the faces of the men of 
our earth, fair and beautiful; sincerity and modesty 
seemed to beam fordi from them. During the presence 
of the spirits of Jupiter, the faces of the men of our earth 
appeared less than usual, which circumstance was owing 
to this, that there was an influx from those spirits of the 
idea which they had concerning their own faces as being 
larger ; for they believe, during their abode in their earth, 
that after their decease their faces will be larger and of 
a round shape ; and whereas this idea is impressed on 
them, it consequently remains with them, and when they 
become spirits they appear to themselves as having 
Jailer faces. The reason why they believe that their 
Aeea will be larger is, because the^ eay \)mA. \I^^ ^%ft» ^& 
nai body, inasmuch as through it tliey afta, )i«M, ^-gwiiL, 



OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 33 

and manifest their thoughts ; and whereas the mind is 
thus transparent through the face, they hence form an 
idea of the fEice as of mind in a form; and inasmuch as 
they know that they shall become wiser when they cease 
to live in the body, therefore they believe that the form 
of the mind or the face will become larger. They believe 
also that after their decease they shall perceive a fire, 
which will communicate warmth to their faces. This 
belief takes its rise from hence, that the wiser amongst 
them know that fire in a spiritual sense signifies love, and 
that love is the fire of life, and that the angels have life 
from this fire.' Such of them also as have lived in celes- 
tial love have their wishes herein gratified, and perceive 
a warmth in the face, and at the same time the interiors 
of the mind are kindled with love. It is on this account 
that the inhabitants of that earth frequently wash and 
make cleafl their faces, and also carefully secure them from 
the sun's heat. They use a covering for the head, made 
of the bark of a tree of a bluish colour, which serves as a 
shade for the face. Concerning the faces of the men of 
our earth, which they saw through my eyes,'' they said 
that they were not handsome, and that the beauty which 
they had consisted in the external skin, but not in the 
fibres derived from what is internal. They were sur- 
prised to see the faces of some full of warts and pimples, 
and in other respects deformed, and said that they have 
no such faces amongst them. Some of their faces retained 
a smiling cast, even such as were of a cheerful and 
smiling habit, and such as were a little prominent about 
the lips. 

« That Are in the Word signifies love in both senses, n. 934, 
4906, 5215. That sacred and celestial fire is Divine Love, and . 
every affection which is of that love, n. 9ai, 6314, 6832. That in- 
fernal fire is self-love and the love of the world, and every con- 
cupiscence belonging to those loves, n. 965, 1861, 5071, 6X1.4,^^0.^ 
7^76, 10.747. That love is the fire ot Me, wa^ >iJaa.\» ^^^ei '-v^sb.^^ '^ 
actaaJly derived from that fire, n. 4(90B, 50r7\, ^«5a. ^ . ^^, 

r That spirits and angels do not Bee t\ie W^m^ca^ '^'^ >:>^--^'a.^^^ 
world, bat that they saw througli my eyes, -Q.. \'^'^^- • 



34 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

53. The reason why the faces which were prominent 
about the lips retained a smiling cast, was, becanse the 
chief part of their discourse is effected by the face, and 
especially by the region about the lips, and also because 
they never use deceit, that is, never speak otherwise than 
they think, the consequence of which is, that they use no 
restraint in regard to the face, but let all the features and 
fibres have free play. The case is otherwise with those 
who from their childhood have been practised in deceit. 
The face is thereby contracted from within, to prevent 
the inward thoughts from being manifested ; neither has 
i£ free play from without, but is kept in readiness either 
to put itself forth or to contract itself, according to the 
suggestions of craft and cunning. The truth of this may 
appear from an examination of the fibres of the lips, and 
of the parts thereabouts ; for the series of fibres in thos^ 
parts are manifold, complex, and interwoven together, 
being created not only for the purposes of receiving and 
chewing the food, and of forming expressions of speech, 
but also of manifesting the ideas of the mind by their 
various configurations. 

54. It was also shewn me how the thoughts are ex- 
pressed by the face : the affections, which belong to the 
love, are manifested by the features and their changes, 
and the thoughts in those affections by variations as to 
the forms of interior things therein ; it is impossible to 
describe them further. Tho inhabitants of the earth 
Jupiter use also vocal discourse, but it is not so loud as 
with us. One kind of discourse is an aid to the other, 
and life is insinuated into vocal discourse by that of the 
countenance. 1 am informed by the angels that the first 
discourse of all in every earth was effected by the face, 
and this from two origins, the lips and the eyes. The 
reason why this kind of discourse was first in use is be- 
cause the face was formed to express by its features all a 
jdsd'b thoughts and inclinations ; hence the face is called 

an elEgjr and Index of the mind : a fuTthcr reason is, be- 
cause id ibe moat ancient or primitive limea m^ia.'v^ va? 



OF THE PLANET JTJPITER. 35 

fluenced by sincerity, and cherished no thought, nor 
wished to cherish any, but what he was willing should 
beam forth visibly in his face : thus also the affections of 
the mind, and the thoughts therein originating, might 
be exhibited to the life, and in their fulness. Hereby 
likewise they were made visible, as several things united 
together in a form. This kind of discourse therefore 
excelled vocal discourse as much as the sense of seeing 
excels that of hearing, or as the sight of a fine country 
excels a verbal description of it. 

Add to this, that such discourse was in agreement 
with the discourse of angels, with whom men in those 
times had communication ; and also that when the face 
speaks, or the mind by the face, the angelic discourse is 
exhibited with man in its ultimate natural form, but not 
'so in verbal discourse. Every one also may conceive that 
the most ancient people could not at first practise verbal 
discourse, inasmuch as the expressions of vocal language 
are not infused immediately, but must have been in- 
vented, and applied to the things they were intended to 
express ; and this would require a course of time to 
effect.* 

So long as man continued to be influenced by a prin- 
ciple of sincerity and rectitude, so long also such discourse 
remained ; but as soon as the mind began to think one 
thing and speak another, which was the case when man 
began to love himself and not his neighbour, then verbal 
discourse began to increase, the face being either silent 
or deceitful. Hence the internal form of the face was 
changed, contracted itself, acquired stiffness, and began 
to be nearly void of life ; whilst the external form, in- 
flamed by the fire of self-love, appeared in the eyes of 
men as if it were alive ; for a want of life in the internal 

* That the most ancient people on this earth used to discoorBe 
by the face and lips, by means of internal aspiration, n. 607, 
1118, 7361. That the inhabitants of some other earths used Vx 
di'^conrse in like manner, n. 479», 7^^, «i^>\^»^"l • ^^l^^f^]^^ 
the perfection and exceUence ol\3aa\» ^aBRRfow^**^'^^**^*^*^***^"* 
10.708. ^ ^ 



i ON THE £A£THS IN THE UNIVEBSE. 

• • 

orms, which are hid underneath the external, does not 
ippear before men, but is manifest to the angels, inas- 
much as the latter see interior things. Such are the 
&ces of those who think one thing and speak another ; 
for simulation, hypocrisy, cunning, and deceit, which at 
this day are called prudence, have a tendency to produce 
such effects. But the case is otherwise in another life, 
where it is not allowable for the speech and thoughts to 
be at variance. Their variance also is there clearly per- 
ceived in every single expression, and when it is per- 
ceived, the spirit who is found guilty, is separated from 
his associates, and fined. Afterwards he is reduced by 
various methods to speak as he thinks, and to think as 
he wills, until his mind be one, and not divided. If he 
be a good spirit, he is reduced to a state of willing what 
is good, and of thinking and speaking what is true, from 
good : and if he be an evil spirit, he is reduced to a state 
of willing what is evil, and of thinking and speaking what 
is false, from evil. Until this is effected, the good spirit 
is not elevated into heaven, nor is the evil one cast into 
hell ; and this to the end that in hell there may be 
nothing but evil and the false grounded in evil, and in 
heaven nothing but good and truth grounded in good. 

56. I was further informed by the spirits from that 
earth, concerning various particulars relating to its in- 
habitants, as concerning their manner of walking, their 
food, and their habitations. With respect to their manner 
of walking, they do not walk erect like the inhabitants of 
this and of several other earths, nor do they creep on all 
four, like four-footed beasts ; but as they go along, they 
assist themselves with their hands, and alternately half 
elevate themselves on their feet, and also at every third 
step turn the face sideways and behind them, and like- 
wise at the same time bend the body a little, which is 
flone suddenly ; for it is thought indecent amongst them 

in A'ojfr'* r^ ^^y ^*^«r Poi^^ 0^ ^^^"^ ^^^ "^'^^^ *^® *^ 
^erut^\„ . walking thus, they a\^a>j^ Ye^^ >-V^ ^v«i 
•^.«« With UB, th&t so they may loot^^ \Xi^ V^>^^- 



OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 37 

as well as the earth. Holding the face downwards so as 
to see the earth alone, they call an accursed thing : the 
most vile and abject amongst them give in to this habit, 
but if they continue in it, they are banished the society. 
When they sit, they appear like men of our earth, erect 
as to the upper part of the body, but they usually sit 
cross-legged. They are particularly cautious, not only 
when they walk, but also when they sit, to be seen with 
the face in the front, and not as to the bEU^k parts. They . ' 
are also very willing to have their faces seen, because 
thence their mind appears; for with them the face is 
never at variance with the mind, nor indeed have they 
power to make it so ; hence it evidently appears, on an 
interview with them, what dispositions they entertain 
towards all who are present, especially whether their 
apparent friendship be sincere or forced, for this they 
never conceaL These particulars were declared to me hj 
their spirits, and confirmed by their angels. Hence also 
their spirits are seen to walk, not erect like others, but 
almost like persons swimming, appearing to help them- 
selves forward with their hands, and by turns to look 
around them. 

56. They who live in their warm climates go naked, 
except about the loins; nor are they ashamed of their 
nakedness, inasmuch as their minds are chaste, loving 
none but such as they are in conjugal connexion with, 
and abhorring adultery. They were very much surprised 
at the spirits of our earth who, on hearing of their method 
of walking, and also that they were naked, made a joke 
of it, and gave way to lascivious thoughts, without 
attending at all to their heavenly life. They said that 
this was a proof that things corporeal and terrestrial 
were of more concern to them than heavenly things, and 
that things of an indecent nature had place in their 
minds. Those spirits of our earth were told tb^.! \ss&a^- 
ness gives no occasion eitlier oi sYiWOife ot oil ^^sa.\A^ 'v^ 
Bucb aa live in chastity and a Bla\.fe olSimsj^x^^^i^^^"^^ ^'^'^ 
to such as lire in lasciviousneaa »ad \iMXi0^^a^»l • 



38 ON THE EAETHS IN THE XJNIVEESE. 

67. When the inhabitants of that earth lie in bed, they 
turn their faces forward, or towards the chamber, but not 
backward, or towards the wall. This was told me by their 
spirits, who assigned also the reason for their so doing, 
namely, that they believe that in turning the face for- 
ward they turn it to the Lord, but if they turn it back- 
ward they avert it from the Lord. I have sometimes 
observed, in regard to myself, whilst I was in bed, such 
a direction of the face ; but never knew before whence it 
was. 

68. They take delight in making long meals, not so 
much for the pleasure of eating as for the pleasure of 
discoursing at such times. Whilst they sit at table, they 
do not sit on chairs or stools, nor upon an elevated turf, 
nor yet upon the bare ground ; but on the leaves of a cer- 
tain tree. They were not willing to tell of what tree the 
leaves were ; but when I«guessed at several, and at last 
named the leaves of the fig-tree, they affirmed that to be 
the tree. They said moreover that they did not dress 
their food with any view to gratify the palate, but chiefly 
with a view to wholesomeness, and that the food which 
was wholesome was also savoury. In a conversation 
which took place amongst the spirits on this subject, 
it was urged that it would be well for man to prepare his 
food according to this rule, for by so doing he would shew 
his attention to the health of his mind and body at the 
same time ; whereas, when the gratification of the palate 
is the chief thing attended to, the bodily health is fre- 
quently lost thereby, at least loses much of its inward 
vigour ; and consequently the mind also is affected, inas- 
much as the exertions of the mind depend on the interior 
state of the recipient bodily parts, as seeing and hearing 
depend on the state of the eye and ear. Hence the mad- 
ness of supposing that all tbe delight of life consists in 

Jajriu-jr^ad pleasureahle indulgences : hence also comes 
^rf/^ *^^ ^^mdity in things whic\i xec^wVi^ \\iQ\SL«!cA 
■»« W^^^^^ TFAi/8t the mind is dispoaed oisX^ iox VJs^a 
'^ of canning and tjontrivance xespec\.\xis \>o^^ 



OF THE PLA1sT:T JUPITER. 39 

and wordly things. Hereby man acquires a brutal image 
and likeness, and therefore such persons are not impro- 
perly compared with brutes. 

69. Their habitations were also shewn me. They are 
low, and constructed of wood, but within they are coated 
over with bark of a palish blue colour, the walls and ceilr 
ing being spotted as with small stars, to represent the 
heayens ; for they are fond of thus picturing the visible 
heavens and stars in the insides of their houses, because 
they believe the stars to be the abodes of angels. They^have 
also tents, which are round above, and stretched out to a con- 
siderable length, spotted likewise within with little stars 
in a blue plane; into these they betake themselves in the 
middle of the day, to prevent their faces suffering from . 
the heat of the sun. They are very attentive to the con- 
struction, neatness, and cleanliness of these their tents : 
they have also their meals in them. 

60. When the spirits of Jupiter saw the horses of this 
earth, the horses appeared to me of a less size than usual, 
although they were tolerably robust and large. This was 
in consequence of the idea of those spirits concerning 
the horses they saw. They said that they also had horses 
amongst them, but of a much larger size, and that they 
were wild, running at large in the woods, and that when 
they come in sight, the inhabitants are terrified, although 
they never suffer any hurt from them. They added, that 
the fear of horses is innate or natural to them : this led 
me to a consideration of the cause of that fear, and it 
seemed to be grounded in the spiritual signification of 
horses ; for a horse in a spiritual sense signifies the in- 
tellect formed of scientifics,** and inasmuch as the in- 
habitants of Jupiter are afraid of cultivating the intellect 
by worldy sciences, hence comes an influx of the fear of 
horses. That they pay no attention to scicntifics, which 
belong to hum&n erudition, will be seen preaentlY^ 

- That borse signifies the inteWecfc, li. 'il^fc— ^l^'^^ '^'^^ > ^^®^c. 
a25, em, mi, 7021,, 8146, 8146. And VltxaX. V.\v^^>d^^^^^%^^^^ 
Bevelatioa aignifiea the underatane^a ol \3aft^ ox«k.,^. «»v^- 



40 OK THE EARTHS Uf THE UNIVERSE. 

61. The spirits of the earth Jupiter are not willing to 
associate with the spirits of our earth, because they differ 
both in minds and manners. They say that the spirits of 
our earth are cunning, and that they are prompt and in- 
genious in the contrirance of evil ; and that they know 
and think little about what is good. Moreover, the spirits 
of the earth Jupiter are much wiser than the spirits of our 
earth. They say also of our spirits, that they talk much 
and think little, and thus that they are not capable of an 
interior perception of many things, not even of what is 
good ; hence they conclude, that the men of our earth are 
external men. On a time also it was permitted some evil 
spirits of our^earth, by their wicked arts, to act upon taxd 
infest the spirits of Jupiter who were with me. The latter 
endured such action for a considerable time, but at length 
confessed that they could endure no longer, and that they 
believed it impossible for worse spirits to exist, inasmuch 
as they perverted their imagination and also their thoughts 
in such a manner that they seemed to themselves as it 
were bound, aud that they could. not be extricated and set 
at liberty without Divine aid. 

Whilst r was reading in the Word some passages con- 
cerning our Saviour's passion, certain European spirits 
infused dreadful scandals, with intent to seduce the 
spirits of Jupiter. Inquiry was made who they were, 
and what had been their profession in the world, and it 
was discovered that some of them had been preachers ; 
and that the greater part were of those who call them- 
selves of the Lord's society, or Jesuits.. I said that they, 
during their abode in the world, by their preaching con- 
cerning the Lord's passion were able to move the vulgar 
to tears. I further added what was the cause of the dif- 
ference between what they appeared to be in the world 
and what they were at present, even that in the world 
their thoughts and their words were at variance, conse- 
quently they entertained one opinion in their hearts and 
professed another with, ihtix lips, but that now they are 
noi sUowed to apeak niider such disguise, iox Va "\i^<»m.- 



OP THE PLANET JUPITER. 41 

iug spirits they are compelled to speak in all respects as 
they think. The spirits of Jupiter expressed the utmost 
astonishment at hearing of such yariance between men's 
interiors and exteriors, and that they were able to think 
one thing and say another, which to themselves, viz., the 
spirits of Jupiter, was impossible. They were surprised 
also, when they were informed that great numbers who 
are from our earth become angels, and that such are in 
heart altogether different from the above spirits ; for they 
imagined at that instant that in our earth all were like 
the spirits then present; but they were informed that 
there are not many of such a character, and that there 
are also some whose thoughts are under the influence of 
goodness, and not of evil like the above, and that all whose 
thoughts are under the influence of goodness become angels. 

To convince them that this was the case, thjere came 
choirs out of heaven consisting of angels from our earth, 
one choir after another, who together with one voice and 
in harmonious concert glorified the Lord. Those choirs 
affected the spirits of Jupiter who were present with such 
delight, that they seemed to themselves to be caught up 
as it were into heaven : the glorification by the choirs,^** 
lasted about an hour. It was given me to perceive sen- 
sibly a communication of the delights occasioned there- 
by. The spirits of Jupiter said that they would relate 
what had happened to the other spirits from their earth 
who were in other parts of the spritual world. 

62. The inhabitants of the earth Jupiter make wisdom 
to consist in thinking well and justly on all occurrences 
in life. They imbibe this wisdom from their parents at 
an early age, and it is successively transmitted to pos- 
terity, receiving an increase in each generation from the 
love thereof, in consideration of its having been the wis- 

bb That it is called a chorus or choir when several spirits speak 
together and onanimcusly, concerning which see n. 2595, 2596, 
3350. That in their speech there is an harm.onio\v& «.iet^fisa^!scib^ 
concerning which see n. 15i8, lG4ft. TYkSX. \ys ^St^ovs*. vo. ^sarfOasst 
life there is a preparafcioii lox an mtoQeLUcXAsya. \ft >osia»assai»-^ * ^q- 



42 ON THE EARTHS IN THE tJNiVEllSE. 

dom 'Of their forefathers. They are altogether unac- 
quainted with the sciences, such as are cultivated in our 
earth, nor have they any desire to be acquainted with 
them. They call them shades, and compare them to clouds 
which intercept the light of the sun. This idea concern- 
ing the sciences they hare conceived, in consequence of 
some spirits from our.earth boasting before them that they 
were wise by reason of their skill in the sciences. The 
spirits from our earth who thus boasted were such as made 
wisdom to consist in things belonging merely to the 
memory, as in languages, especially the Hebrew, Greek, 
and Latin, in a knowledge of all important particulars 
respecting the learned world, in criticism, in bare experi- 
mental discoveries, and in terms, particularly such as are 
philosophical, with other things of a like nature, not 
using such things as means leading to wisdom, but 
making wisdom to consist in the things themselves. 

Such persons, inasmuch as they have not cultivated 
their rational faculty by the sciences, as by means leading 
to wisdom, have little perception in another life; for 
they see only in terms, and from terms, in which case 
those things are as clots and clouds obstructing the in- 
tellectual sight, see above, n. 38; and they who have 
been vain and conceited by reason of their erudition thus 
grounded, have still less perception ; but they who have 
used the sciences as means of invalidating and annihi- 
lating the things belonging to the Church and to faith, 
are found to have totally destroyed their intellect, in con- 
sequence whereof they see in the dark like owls, mistaking 
what is false for what is true, and what is evil for what is 
good. The spirits of Jupiter, from the conversation they 
had with such, concluded that the sciences occasion a 
shade in the intellect and tend to make it blind. But 
they were informed that on our earth the sciences are 
nieans of opening the intellect, which sight is in the 
y^S'Jit of heaven; but inasmuch as there ia a "5Te\«\«n<ifeQ^ 
"^^^ J^g8 as belong to the merely natural au^ s^wsvj^ 
therefore the Bcieacea to the men oi out eat\,\L w^ 



OF THE PLANET JXIPITEIl. 43 

means of becoming unmse, or of confirming them in 
favour of nature against divine agency, and in favour of 
the world against heaven. They were further informed 
that the sciences in themselves are spiritual riches, and 
that they who possess them are like those who possess 
worldly riches, which in like manner are means whereby 
man may do service to himself, his neighbour, and his 
country, and whereby also he may do mischief; more- 
over, that they are like dress, which serves for use and 
ornament, and also for the nourishing of pride and vanity, 
as in the case of those who would be honoured for their 
fine clothes. This was perfectly intelligible to the spirits 
of Jupiter ; but they were surprised at the inhabitants of 
our earth, that, being men, they should rest in means, 
and prefer things leading to wisdom before wisdom itself; 
and that they should not see, that to immerse the mind 
in such things, and not to elevate it above them, was to 
becloud and blind it. 

63. A certain spirit at that instant, rising from the 
lower earth, came to me, and said that he had heard what 
I had been discoursing upon with other spirits, but that 
he did not understand at all what was said concerning 
spiritual life and the light thereof. He was asked whe- 
ther he was willing to be instructed on that head. He 
said that he did not come with any such intention : 
hence it was given me to conclude that he would not 
comprehend what might be said on the subject. He was 
exceedingly stupid ; yet it was declared by the angels, 
that, during his abode in the world, he was much cele- 
brated for his learning. He was cold, as was manifestly 
perceived from his breathing, which was a sign of an illu- 
mination merely natural, and of none spiritual, conse- 
quently, that by the sciences he had not opened but 
closed his way to the light of heaven. 

64. Inasmuch as the inhabU.^TL\»'a» ^i HJaa ^'s^^c^.^ysg^j^st 
procure intelligence for WvexaafeV?^^ Vj ^ ^"«^ ^^^'^^^^^ 
from that of the inliab\taii\.ft ^i omt ^^^^^^^^'^^^^ssi^ 
over of a diflfereEt geimia an^ X.^m^'st ^ ^^^s^^ 



44 ON THE EAETHS IN THE TJNIVEESE. 

life, therefore they cannot abide long together, but either 
shun or remove each other. There are spheres, which 
may be called spiritnal spheres, which continually flow 
forth, yea, overflow from every spirit ; they flow from the 
activity of the affections and consequent thoughts, thus 
from the life itself/*^ All consociations in another life are 
regulated according to these spheres ; those which agree 
being joined together according to their agreement, and 
those which disagree being separated according to their 
disagreement. The spirits and angels, who are from the 
earth Jupiter, in the Grand Man have relation to the 
IMAGINATIVE PART OP THOUGHT, and Consequently to an 
active state of the interior parts ; but the spirits of our 
earth have relation to the various functions of the exte- 
rior parts of the body, and when these are desirous to 
have dominion, the active or imaginative part of thought 
from the interior cannot flow in : hence come the oppo- 
sitions between the spheres of the life of each. 

65. As to what concerns their divine worship, it is 
a principal characteristic thereof, that they acknowledge 
our Lord as the Supreme, Who governs heaven and earth, 
calling Him the only Lord ; and inasmuch as they ac- 
knowledge and worship Him during their life in the 
body, they hence seek Him after death and find Him ; 
He is the same with our Lord. They were asked, whe- 
ther they know that the only Lord is a Man. They re- 
plied that they all know that He is a man, because in 
their world He has been seen by many as a Man ; and 
that He instructs them concerning the truth, preserves 
them, and also gives eternal life to those who worship 
Him from good. They said further, that it is revealed 
to them from Him how they should live, and how believe ; 

« That a spiritual sphere, which is the sphere of the life, 

flows forth and overflows from every man, spirit, and angel, and 

encompasses them about, n. 416t, 5179, 7454. That it flows forth 

-^27 tbe life of their affections and consequent thox^ghta, n. 2489, 

f^a^ 0206. That in another life consociationa and wso ^oBfeocva.- 

?f^. ^^ ^-%Tz/«^d according to spheres, n, 620«. WW, wn, 



OF THE PLANET JITPITER. 45 



and that wliat is reyealed is handed down from parents 
to children, and hence there flows forth doctrine to all 
the families, and thereby to the whole nation which is 
descended from one father. They added, that it seems 
to them as if they had the doctrine written on their 
minds, and they conclude so from this circumstance, be- 
cause they perceive instantly, and acknowledge as of 
themselves, whether it be true or not what is said by 
others concerning the life of heaven in man. 

They do not know that their only Lord was bom a 
Man on our earth ; they said that it is of no concern to 
them to know it, only that He is a Man, and governs the 
universe. When I informed them that on our earth He 
is named Christ Jesus, and that Christ signifies Anointed 
or King, and Jesus, Saviour, they said that they do not 
worship Him as a king, because king suggests the idea 
of what is worldly, but that they worship Him as a Sa- 
viour. On this occasion a doubt was injected from the 
spirits of our earth, whether their only Lord was the same 
with our Lord ; but they removed it by the recollection 
that they had seen Him in the sun, and had acknowledged 
that it was He Himself Whom tliey saw on their earth, 
see above, n. 40. On a time also, the spirits of Jupiter 
who were with me were seized with a momentary doubt 
whether their only Lord was the same with our Lord ; 
but this doubt, which was instantaneously injected, was 
also instantaneously dispersed. It was suggested by an 
influx from some spirits of our earth ; and what surprised 
me much on this occasion, the spirits of Jupiter were so 
ashamed of themselves for having doubted herein, though 
but for a moment, that they requested me not to publish 
it, lest they should be charged with any incredulity, when 
yet they were now convinced of [the truth more than 
others. They were most exceedingly affected and rejoiced 
when they heard it declared that the only Lord is alone 
Man, and that all have from. Him whaA. «vi\.\\Xss» *OcNK^\si 
he called men ; but that tTaey aie oiA^' ^Q ^^^ \s^^\^'«^'^^ 
are images^ of Him, that is, aa \Aie^ \Q^^^vm, ^\v^ vs^^ 



46 ON THE EARTHS ENT THE UNIVEESE. 

their neighbour, consequently, as they are in good ; for 
the good of love and faith is an image of the Lord. 

66. There were with me some spirits of the earth 
Jupiter, while I was reading the seventeenth chapter in 
John, concerning the Lord's Love, and concerning His 
Glorification ; and when they heard the contents, a holy 
influence seized them, and they confessed that all things 
therein were divine. But at that instant, some spirits of 
our esirth, who were infidels, suggested various scandals, 
saying that He was born an infant, lived as a man, ap- 
peared as another man, was crucified, with other circum- 
stances of a like nature. The spirits of the earth Jupiter, 
however, paid no attention to these suggestions. They 
said, that such are their devils, whom they abhor ; adding, 
that nothing heavenly has any place in their minds, but 
only what is earthly, which they called dross ; and which 
they said they had discovered from this circumstance, that 
when mention was made of going naked on their earth, 
obscene ideas immediately occupied their thoughts, and 
they paid no attention to their heavenly life, which waa 
also spoken of at the same time. 

67. The clear perception which the spirits of Jupiter 
have concerning spiritual things, was made manifest to 
me from their manner of representing how the Lord con- 
verts depraved affections into good affections. They re- 
presented the intellectual mind as a beautiful form, and 
impressed upon it an activity suitable to the form an- 
swering to the life of affection. This they executed in a 
manner which no words can describe, and with such dex- 
terity that they were commended by the angels. There 
were present on this occasion some of the learned from 
our earth, who had immersed the intellect in scientific 
terms, and had thought and written much about form, 
about substance, about materiality and immateriality, 
and the like, without applying such things to any use : 
these could not even comprehend that representation. 

G8. They are exceedingly cautious on their earth, lest 
^^J^ one should Ml into wrong opVavoiia (iQTi<i«tiaii% 



OF THE PLAITET JUPITEE. 47 

the only Lord ; and if they observe that any begin to 
think not rightly concerning Him, they first admonish, 
then use threats, and lastly deter by punishment. They 
said that they had observed, if any such wrong opinions 
insinuate themselves into any family, that family is taken 
from amongst them, not by the punishment of death in- 
flicted by their fellows, but by being deprived of respira- 
tion, and consequently of life, by spirits, when they have 
first threatened them with death : for in that earth spirits 
speak with the inhabitants, and chastise them if they 
have done evil, and even if they have intended to do evil, 
of which we shall say more presently. Hence if they 
think evil concerning the only Lord, and do not repent, 
they are threatened with death. In this mauner the 
worship of the Lord, Who to the inhabitants of that 
earth is the Supreme Divinity, is preserved pure. 

69. They said that they have no particular days set 
apart for divine worship, bat that every morning at sun- 
rise, and every evening at sun-setting, they perform holy 
worship to their only Lord in their tents ; and that they 
also sing psalms after their manner. 

70. I was further informed that in that earth there 
are also soiAe who call themselves saints, and who com- 
mand their servants, of whom they wish to have great 
numbers, to give them the title of Lords, threatening 
them with punishment if they omit it. They likewise 
forbid their servants to adore the Lord of the universe, 
saying that themselves are lords-mediators, and that they 
will present the supplications of others to the Lord of 
the universe. They call the 'Lord of the universe, who 
is our Lord, not the only Lord, as the rest do, but the 
supreme Lord, by reason that they call themselves also 
Lords. The sun of the world they call the Face of the 
supreme Lord, and believe that His abode is there, where- 
fore they also adore the sun. The rest of the inhabitants 
hold them in aversion, and are unwilling to converse 
with them, as well because they «idoxfc VVs^fc w«iL^&\s(>?i«s»»fc 
tbcy call themselves loids, wkd w^ ^o^c^v^.^^^ M K^msss. 



48 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVEESE. 

servants as mecllatory gods. There was shown xne by 
spirits the covering of their head, which was a tufted cap 
of a darkish colour. In the other life such appear to the 
left in a certain altitude, and there sit as idols, and for 
some time are also worshipped by the servants who have 
attended upon them, but are afterwards held in derision 
by the same servants. What surprised me was, that 
their faces shine there as by the light of a fire, which is 
in consequence of their having believed that they were 
saints; but notwithstanding this fiery appearance of 
their faces, they are nevertheless cold, and have an in- 
tense desire to be made warm. Hence it is evident that 
the fire whereby they seem to shine, is the fire .of self- 
love, and a false fire. In order to make themselves 
warm, they seem to themselves to cut wood, and whilst 
they are thus employed, there appears underneath the 
wood something of a man, whom at the same time 
they attempt to strike. This appearance is in conse- 
quence of their attributing to themselves merit and 
sanctity ; for all who do so in this life seem to themselves 
in another life to cut wood, as was the case likewise 
with some spirits from our earth, who have been spoken 
of elsewhere. 

For the further illustration of this subject, I shall here 
adduce what has been experimentally made known to 
me : " In the lower earth, beneath the soles of the feet, 
are those who have placed merit in their good deeds and 
works. Several of them appear to themselves to cut 
wood. The place where they are collected is very cold, 
and they seem to themselves to acquire warmth by their 
labour. I have also discoursed with them, and it was 
given me to ask them whether they had any inclination 
to leave that place. They replied that as yet they had 
not merited it by their labour. When that state how- 
ever is finished and past, they are taken away thence. 
AJIsach spirits Are ia a mere natural state, inasmuch as 
.-^ iAe desire of meriting salvation there \a Tio\XvYDi!s ^l ^ 
'P^^'^OMlpriacipIe, sach desire originalmg Vn a€^, ^^^ ^^"^ 



OF THE PLANET JUPITEB. 49 

in the Lord. Moreover such prefer themselves above 
others, and in some cases despise others; and if in another 
life they do not receive more bliss than others, they have 
indignation against the Lord, wherefore whilst they are 
cutting wood, it appears as if somewhat of the Lord was 
underneath the wood. This is in consequence of their 
indignation."'*'* 

71. It is common in the earth Jupiter for spirits to 
discourse with the inhabitants, to instruct them, and also 
to chastise them if they have Hone evil ; on which subject 
I wish to be moi-e particular, as several things were related 
to me by their angels, concerning it. The reason why 
spirits in that earth discourse with men is, because they 
think much about heaven and a life after death; and 
because respectively they are little solicitous about the 
present life ; for they know that they shall live after their 
decease, and in a happy state according to the state of 
their internal man, formed in the world. To discourse 
with spirits and angels was also common on this earth in 
ancient times, and for the same reason, namely because 
they then thought much of heaven and little of the world. 
But that living communication with heaven in process 
of time was closed, as man from internal became external, 
or what is the same thing, as he began to think much 
about the world and little about heaven ; and especially 
when he ceased to believe in the existence of heaven or 
hell, and that in himself there was a spiritual man which 
would live after death ; for at this day it is believed that 
the body lives by a virtue of its own, and not by virtue 
of its spirit; wherefore unless man now entertained a 
belief that he should rise again with his natural body, he 
would have no belief at all about the resurrection. 

^ That the Lord alone has merit and righteousness, n. 9715, 
9975, 9979, 9981, 9982. That such as place merit in their works, 
or wish to merit heaven by their good deeds, in another life with 
to be served, and are in no wise contented, n. 6393. That they 
despise their neighbour, and are angry at the Lord Him.aGlt^ \t 
they do not receive a reward, ii.9976. V'f^t\i\i'fcvc\c^\^"voL^^'=>'^^ 
life, 22. 942, 1/74, 1877, 2027. Tbat they axe oi X^xq-s.^ ^^^ ^sv'Q£.^ 
Jowcr (forth appear to cut wood, ix. 1110, 4a^. _ 



60 ON THE EAItTHS IK THE trtaVERSE. 

72. As to what particularly concerns the presence of 
spirits with the inhabitants of Jupiter, there are 8om6 
spirits who chastise, some who instruct, and some who 
rule over them. The spirits who chastise apply them- 
selves to the left side, and incline themselves towards the 
back, and when they are there, they draw out from a 
man's memory all that he has done or thought ; for this 
is an easy thing to spirits, inasmuch as when they come 
to man, they enter into all his memory. If they find 
that he has -done evil, or has thought evil, they reprove 
him, and also chastise him by pain in the joints of his 
feet or hands, or about the region of the belly ; this 
also spirits can effect with much dexterity when they are 
permitted. On the approach of such spirits to man, he 
is struck with horror attended with fear, and hence he is 
aware of their coming. 

Fear may be excited in any person by evil spirits, on 
their approach, especially by those who during their 
abode in the world have been thieves and robbers. In 
order that I might know how those spirits act when they 
come to a man of their own earth, it was permitted that 
such a spirit should also come to me. When he was near, 
horror attended with fear manifestly affected me, yet it 
was not an interior but exterior horror, because I was 
aware of the spirit from whom it proceeded. He was also 
seen by me, and appeai*ed as a darkish cloud with move- 
able stars in it : moveable stars signify falsities, but fixed 
stars truths." He applied himself to my left side towards 
the back, and likewise began to reprove me on account of 
things done and thought, which he produced from my 
memory, and also interpreted unfavourably ; but he was 
checked by the angels. When he perceived that he was 
with a man who did not belong to his own earth, he 
began to discourse with me, saying that when he came to 
any man he knew all and every the thing which th^ man 
wma doing and thinking ; also that he severely reproved 
hina, and likewise chastised blm \>y \8ki\o\i!& 'i^^xi^. 
^t Another time again suck a ch^&Us^s^^ vgv^Xi c»s&^\i^ 



OF THE PLANET JU1»ITEK. 61 

me, and applied himself to my left side below the middle 
of the body, like the former, and also desired to punish 
me ; but he likewise was restrained by the angels. He 
shewed me however the kinds of punishment which they 
are permitted to inflict on the men of their earth, if they 
do evil, or intend to do evil Besides pains of the joints, 
they cause also a painful compression about the middle of 
the belly, which seems as if it proceeded from a tight 
sharp belt ; likewise a cessation of respiration at times 
even to apparent suffocation. Another kind of punish- 
ment is that of prohibition, whereby the person punished 
is forbid eating anything but bread for a time. Lastly, 
death is denounced in case the offender does not cease 
from his evil acts and intentions, and at the same time he 
is deprived of all satisfaction arising from the company 
of his wife, his children, and associates. Grief is also 
insinuated on such occasions by reason of such depriva- 
tion. 

73. The spirits who instruct, apply themselves also to 
the left side of the persons instructed, but more to the 
front. They reprove likewise, but mildly, and presently 
teach them how they ought to live. They appear also of 
a darkish hue, yet not like clouds as the former, but as if 
they were clad in sackcloth. These are called instructors, / 
but the former chastisers. When the instructing spirits 
are present, angelic spirits are present also, sitting 
close to the head, and filling it in a peculiar manner. 
Their presence likewise is perceived there like a gentle 
breathing ; for they are afraid of man's perceiving the 
least pain or anxiety from their approach and influx. 
They govern the chastising and instructing spirits, pre- 
venting the former from putting man to more pain than is 
permitted by the Lord, and prompting the latter to teach 
what is true. During the time that a chastising spirit 
was with me, there were present also angelic spirits, who 
kept my countenance in a constant smile and cheerfulne&s.^ 
and the region about the Ui^a i^xomvaft\i\>,^Ti\\a:5 ^s^ss^jSia^ 
/I mUe op^o. TbU i\ie %iige\f^ w2vV^ 'bS^'^^^ \.V«&s5^ 



52 ON TtlE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 



when it is permitted of the Lord. They said that with 
the inhabitants of their earth, they induce such a coun- 
tenance when they are present. 

74. If a man, after chastisement and instruction, again 
does evil, or thinks to do evil, and does not check himself 
by the precepts of truth, when the chastising spirit returns 
he is punished more severely; but the angelic spirits 
moderate the punishment according to 'the intention in 
what was done, and according to the will in what was 
thought. Hence it may appear, that their angels, who 
sit at the head, exercise a species of judicatory power 
over man^ inasmuch as they permit, moderate, restrain, 
and operate by influx ; but it was declared, that they do 
not Judge, but that the Lord alone is Judge, and that 
fh>m Him into them flow all things which they enjoin to 
the chastising and instructing spirits, and that it appears 
as if it was from them. 

76. In the earth Jupiter, spirits speak with man, but 
man in his turn does jiot speak with spirits, only these 
words when he is instructed, — / iciV/ do so mo more : nor 
Is It alloweil him to tell any one that a spirit had spoken 
with him, for if he does this, he is afterwards punished. 
Those spirits of Jupiter, when they were with me, sup- 
posed at first , thai they wei^ with a man of their own 
earth ; but when I si>ake with them again, and when they 
per^eeix^cd that I had thoughts of publishing what passed 
between us, and thus of telling ii to others, and thai it 
wa» not allowed ihem either to chastise or iikslrotcl me 
«» ?» doing, Uiey then discovei^ that they were with a 
«txaii$er. 

W. Thejoe aw t wv> sj^n* which appear to th^>«e ^pilrits 
<i«riii$C their aKvJe with man : ihey see an eMet^ man 
^ « 1^ <«««ii«iia»ce, which is a $l$n to them «» sfieak 
MUi^rWlwhMisU«e.Mkatodo»^hic$ hat wlaui it 
Jl^i 1^ ^M« a)#^ a Ibce in a wi^^low. which Is a «^ to 
»•» tj* ^tftftwrt Hmukk^ $«dhaiL efcaertr maft alaa a|»> 
2JJ5 •* Jl^ <Wfcj4 Hhftntte ai fMe w«fe «Ma vaa.'wvMhisw^ 



OP THK VLANl'.T .M'l'miU. 



*7T. Bealdea tho Hplrlti* hI>oyo inttiitioiuMl, ilmt 
also Bpiritt) who Mii)?);oMi rontrury |>crriuiiMiiiiip4. 'I'lin 
tliey Avho, during their uIkmIo Iu tln» woihl, \vi ni Imi 
from the aocioty of tho rrnt on iinMniiil nT tlmli' w 
iie»s. AVhcn they Hpimtach, Ihrnt ii|i|it!iiirt tm ii. y 
flying fire, which piinneH ddwiiwitnl^ iiisiii' llm liir.r.. 
place tlicmnclvcH heiiciitU iioir luiiirrt liin li )ii)il.*i 
speak thcnco towurds tho \\\i\n'r \mr\n. Whut. Ilii:y 
directly coiitrury lo tho iiintruiainiix wliirli |.h«: IhhI. 
spirit gave from tho huprrU, find U lo lUU |hii|im, 
tlicy need not live arcordirif^ (.o iiinLriirt.ifui, Iml. imk-.i 
to their own will and ]i\i'.tinurn, witlionl. Mty iJi, 
restraint. They generally iimk^ Uiidr ii|>|iiiiar|i „ 
as the former Hpirits are dftpartful ; Imt, t.|,«, i„,,tt , 
earth are aware who and what fhoiu:K|iiiiUai<:, aiifi 
fore are iinconoerned ahout r.h*;rrj. St'.v*'.\\Mi^^ 4. 
taught herehy what i^ ftvil, and *'J»ii-^ui^\n:u\\.j 
good; for by evil \a leurnt what y/ttA ,y t.i„. , * 
erood being di»':em^.d uv \.^ 'ir,v,..i> .J... *'* 
ceptlon m every «^4*»e i- iL'ui-irf.'.uv v, r--;*I: ■ . , ' ' 
to d i ffe re n»ie:'. a:*'i d ..-. '.itr. . -..v . ^ / v.^ ^ ,,^j . * ' '/ * ' • 

T8. The .;iA-.-.:...r.^- 4.-.': ...'■.:...- , ., 

a.c-p"roi«ifc* — ''^ *•- • ■-^- ...-^.r.../ , . . ■ ■ -* 

in.eo.la.cors ■ior.re.ii :.-.-:.; x. .-,.-.-. ^... ^ 

aijcemied oy ill.i.;.^_;,--,^ >;.../ -., ■*■' 

b»*Ln^ a:i«:er -.:.» i :^. •"..-...■,;., ^^ ^['f " 
an- Ltijs'.r'^*?'":"*;/ *:'...•:. ^.^ ' ■ ' -. 

■ if ji-iii'iwi*. aiiu :.:a", r^-- "^ 






54 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

of having done any evil, only that he had reprimanded 
the inhabitants of his earth, and that after reprimanding, 
he instructed them. He applied himself to my left side, a 
little lower than the elbow, and spake as it were with a 
divided faith. He had also the power of exciting pity. 
But all I could say in reply was, that it was not in my 
power to help him, for that all help was from the Lord 
alone ; nor could I intercede for him, because I did not 
know whether it was useful or not ; but that if he was 
deserving, he might have hope. At that instant he was 
remanded back amongst some upright spirits from his 
own earth f but they said that he could notlbe in consort 
with them, because he differed in quality. Still however 
he requested with an intense desire to be let into heaven, 
and in consequence thereof he was introduced to a society 
of upright spirits of this earth ; but these also declared 
that he could not abide with them. He was likewise of a 
black colour in the light of heaven ; but he himself said 
that he was not a black colour, but of a darkish brown. 

I was informed that those are such at first who are 
afterwards received amongst those who .constitute the pro- 
vince of the SEMINAL VESSELS in the Grand Man, or 
heaven ; for in those vessels the semen is collected, and 
is encompassed with a covering of suitable matter, fit to 
preserve the prolific portion of the semen from being dls- 
sipated, but which may be put off in the neck of the 
uterus, that thus what is reserved within may serve for 
conception or the impregnation of the ovulum ; hence 
also that seminal matter has a strong tendency and as it 
were a burning desire to put itself off, and leave the 
semen to accomplish its end : somewhat similar to this 
appeared likewise in this spirit. He came again to me, 
in vile raiment, and again said that he had a burning 
desire to be admitted into heaven, and that now he per- 
ceJred himself to he gaalified for that purpose. It was 
^f^^^^^ ^o tell Mm that possibly thia -waa «b loteo. 
^he would shortly he admitted. At tlialmatasiX. \\i^ 
^ called to bim to cast off his raimeul, N?\dc\x\v^ ^^ 



OF THE PLANET JUPITEE. 56 

immediately with inconceivable quickness, from the 
vehemence of his desire ; whereby was represented what 
is the nature of their desires who are in the province to 
which the seminal vessels correspond. I was informed 
that such, when they are prepared for heaven, are stripped 
of their own garments, and are clothed with new shining 
raiment, and become angels. They are likened unto 
caterpillars, which having passed through that vile state 
of their existence are changed into nymphs, and thus 
into butterflies ; in which last state they are gifted with 
new clothing, and also with wings of various colours, as 
blue, yellow, silver, or golden. At the same time they 
have liberty to fly in the open air as in their heaven, and 
to celebrate their marriages, and to lay their eggs, and 
thus to provide for the propagation of their kind ; and 
then also sweet and pleasant food is allotted them from 
the juices and odours of various flowers. 

80. Hitherto nothing has been said concerning the 
quality of the angels who are from the earth Jupiter ; for 
they who come to the men of their earth, and sit at the 
head concerning whom, see n. 78, are not angels in their 
interior heaven, but are angelic spirits, or angels in their 
exterior heaven ; and inasmuch as the nature and quality 
• of the former angels have been made known to me, I shall 
here relate what has been discovered on that subject. A 
certain spirit, belonging to those of the earth Jupiter, 
who inspire terror, approached to my left side beneath the 
elbow, and thence spake to me ; but his speech was harsh, 
nor were his expressions very distinct, so that I was 
obliged to wait some time before I could collect his 
meaning. And whilst he was speaking, he injected some- 
what of terror, admonishing me hereby to give a kind re- 
ception to the angels when they came : but it was given 
me to reply, that this did not depend on myself, for that 
all were received by me according to what they w^t^ va. 
themselves. Presently tike Mige\^ol>iJaa.\» ^■wSXv^^^x'^'s^^Jssfe^'. 
and I was permitted to pexcevfe itom^iJcla^x $!:Y^^'5iVi:«R.'^^ 
the^ differed altogetket ttom \\^^ ^^^^^^. ^^ """^^ "^ 



56 ON TUB EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

for tl\py did not discourse by verbal expressions, but by 
ideas which diffused themselves through every part of my 
interiors : and hence also they had an influx into the face, 
80 that the face concurred in every particular, beginning 
from the lips, and proceeding towards the circumference 
in every direction. The ideas which were instead of 
verbal expressions, were discrete, but in a small degree. 
Afterwards they discoursed with me by ideas still less dis« 
Crete, so that scarce any thing'of interstice was perceivable. 
It appeared in my perception like the meaning of verbal 
expressions with those who attend only to the meaning 
abstracted from the expressions. 

This discourse was more intelligible to me than the 
former, and was also more full. It flowed, in like manner 
as the former, into the face ; but the influx was more 
continuous according to the quality of the discourse : it 
did not, however, begin as the former, from the lips, but 
from the eyes. Afterwards they discoursed in a manner 
still more continuous and full ; and then the face could 
not concur by a suitable motion, but the influx was made 
sensible on the brain, which was acted upon in like 
manner. Lastly, they discoursed so, that the discourse 
fell only on the interior intellect ; its volubility was like 
that of an attenuated atmosphere. I was made sensible 
of the influx, but not distinctly of the particulars dis- 
coursed on. These several kinds of discourse may be 
compared with different fluids, — the first kind with fluent 
water, the second with water more attenuated, the third 
with the atmospherical air, and the fourth with atten- 
uated air. The spirit above mentioned, who was on the 
left side, sometimes interrupted the discourse, admonish- 
ing me particularly to behave modestly with his angels ; 
for there were attendant spirits from our earth who sug- 
gested things which gave displeasure. He said that he 
d)d not understand at first what the angels discoursed 
^boutj but that he did afterwards when he lemoved to my 

hZC^Z-f^' ^^^^ ^^^<> bis speech was not Vxatfe\i aA\i^^oxft, 

^''^ ^o /Mae of other spiriU. 



OF THE PLANET JUPITER. 67 

81. I afterwards discoursed with the angels concerning 
some extraordinary particulars on our earth, especially 
concerning the art of printing, concerning the Holy 
Word, and concerning the doctrinals of the Church derived 
from the Word; and I informed them that the Word 
and the doctrinals of the Church were printed and pub- 
lished, and were thus learnt. They wondered exceedingly 
that things of such a nature could be made public by 
writing and printing. 

82. I was allowed to see how the spirits of that earth, 
when they are prepared, are taken up into heaven, and 
become angels. On such occasions there appear chariots 
and bright horses as of fire, by which they are carried 
away in like manner as Elias. The reason of this appear- 
ance of chariots and blight horses as of fire is, because 
thus it is represented that they are instructed and pre- 
pared to enter heaven, inasmuch as chariots signify the 
doctrinals of the Church, and bright horses signify an 
enlightened understanding.'" 

83. The heaven into which they are carried away, ap- 
pears on the right to their earth, consequently separate 
from the heaven of the angels of our earth. The angels 
who are in that heaven appear clothed in shining blue 
raiment spotted with little stars of gold, and this by 
reason of their having loved that colour in the world, 
and having believed aUo that it was the ver}' essential 
celestial colour, and especially because they are in such 
good of love as that to which that colour corresponds.'' 

84. There appeared to me a bald head, but only the 

•• That chariots signify the doctrinals of the Church, n. 2760, 
6321, 8215. That horses signify the intellectual principle, n. 
2700, 2761, 2702, 3217, 6321, 6126, 6100, 6631, 7021, 8136, 8148, 8381. 
That the White Horse in the Apocalypse signifies the under- 
standincf of the Word, n. 2760. That by Elias in a representa- 
tive sense is meant the Word, n. 2762, 6217. And whereas all 
doctrine of the Church and the understanding thereof oro frotnL. 
the Word, Elias is called the chaxiota ol\«TOfe\ wivi.>;ja'Bi\Nsst^^-^^sa. 
thereof, n. 2762. That on this aficovxux. \i^ '^^^ \5!i«.«vi. nx'^ ^s^ •»» 
Sery chariot and fiery horftca. ^ .,,.^c.'Kvx«ag«» M; 

^ That Wuo originating iurcOLox «L»sa.Q-CQ\Qv>x,^^^'^'^^'='^ 



68 ON THE EAETHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

npper part thereof, which was bony ; and I was told that 
such an appearance is seen by those who are to die within 
a year, and that they instantly prepare themselves. 
The inhabitants of that earth do not fear death, except on 
this account, that they leave their conjugial partner, their 
children, or parents, for they know that they shall live 
after death, and that in dying they do not quit life, be- 
cause they go to heaven ; wherefore they do not call it 
dying, but being heaven-made. 

Such amongst them as have lived in true conjugial 
love, and have taken such care of their children as becomes 
parents, do not die of diseases, but in tranquillity as in 
sleep, and thus they pass away from the world to heaven. 
The age to which the inhabitants live is, on an average, 
about thirty years, estimated according to years on our 
earth. It is by the providence of the Lord that they 
die at so early an age, lest their numbers should increase 
beyond what that earth is capable of supporting ; and 
whereas, when they have fulfilled those years they do not 
suffer themselves to be guided by spirits and angels like 
those who are not so far advanced in age, therefore spirits 
and angels seldom attend them when arrived at their 
thirtieth year. They come to maturity sooner than on 
our earth. Even in the first flower of youth they connect 
themselves in marriage, and then it is their chief delight 
to love the partner of such connexion, and to take care 
of their children. Other delights they indeed call de- 
lights, but respectively external. 



ON THB EARTH OB PLANET MARS, ITS SPIRITS AND 

INHABITANTS. 

85. Thb spirits of Mars are amongst the spirits who 

come from the earths of this solar system, the best of all, 

for tbey are for the most part as celestial men, not unlike 

&hS^^^f c^^GStial love; and that blue grovm^oai \ivNv\»!wi^T 
'*««? i!Qlo^rf correspond to ^he gooOt ot Bp\r\t\)i»\\oNQ»u.^(^R»<, 



OP THE PLANET MARS. 59 

those who were of the most ancient church on this earth.'' 
When they are represented according to their quality, 
they are represented with the face in heaven and the body 
in the world of spirits ; and such of them as are angels 
are represented with the face towards the Lord and with 
the body in heaven. 

86. The planet Mars appears in the idea of spirits 
and angels, like all the other planets, in its place con- 
stantly, which place is to the left in front, at some dis- 
tance in the plane of the breast, and thereby out of the 
sphere where the spirits of our earth are. Spirits of 
one earth are separate from the spirits of another earth, 
by reason that the spirits of each particular earth have 
relation to some particular province in the Grand Man, 
and consequently they are each in other and different 
states ; and it is owing to this diversity of state that 
they appear separate from ^ach other, either to the right 
or to the left, at a greater or lesser distance.'*'' 

87. SpiriU came thence to me, and applied themselves 
to my left temple, where they breathed upon me with 
their discourse ; but I did not understand it. As to its 
flow, it was soft beyond what I had ever before perceived, 
being like the softest breeze. It breathed first upon the 
left temple and upon the upper part of the left ear ; and 
the breathing proceeded thence to the left eye, and by 
degrees to the right, and flowed down afterwards, 
especially from the left eye, to the lips ; and when it was 
at the lips, it entered through the mouth, and by a way 
within the mouth, and thus through the eustachian tube 
into the brain. When the breathing arrived thither, then 

KB That the first and most ancient Church on this earth was a 
celestial Church, which is the chief of all, concerning which see 
n. 607, 895, 920, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1121, 2896, 4493, 8891, 9912, 10,545. 
That a Church is called celestial wherein love to the Lord is 
primary, but spiritual wherein charity towards the neighbour is 
primary, from which is faith, n. 3691, 6436, 9468, 9680, 9Q8a^ 
9780. 

*A "That distances in anotbeTM© ac?> xeaN. ^'^^'«s«=^'^f*^^]S^S^^ 
aro presented visibly by tYie "Lotd, acGot^Tv^X^ ^\^?^ 
inWriQrs of Qngels and 8p\r\t8»ii. 5^5M.»Si\a^,'^^AftA^x^'«>> 



60 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

I understood their speech, and was permitted to discourse 
with thetn. I observed, whilst they were speaking with 
me, that my lips were put in motion, and also my tongue 
in a slight degree, and this by reason of the correspond- 
ence of interior speech with the exterior. Exterior 
speech is that of articulate sound conveyed to the ex- 
ternal membrane of the ear, and thence to the brain by 
means of the small organs, membranes, and fibres, which 
are within the ear. Hence it was granted me to know 
that the speech of the inhabitants of Mars was different 
from that of the inhabitants of our earth, in that it was 
not sonorous, but almost tacit, insinuating itself into the 
interior hearing and sight by a shorter way ; and conse- 
quently, that it was more perfect, fuller of ideas of thought, 
and thereby approaching nearer to the speech of spirits and 
angels. The essential affection also of the speech is re- 
presented amongst them in the face, and the thought 
thereof in the eyes ; for the thought and the speech, 
and likewise the affection and the face, with them act in 
unity. 

They account it wicked to think one thing and speak 
another, and to will or desire one thing whilst the fea- 
tures of the face express the contrary. They are alto- 
gether unacquainted with hypocrisy, and likewise with 
fraudulent pretence and deceit. That the same kind of 
speech prevailed amongst the most ancient people on our 
earth, I was permitted to know by conversation with 
some of them in another life ; and for the farther elucida- 
tion of this subject I shall here relate the following 
particulars, communicated to me on the occasion : " It 
was shewn me by an influx which I cannot describe what 
was the quality of the speech which prevailed amongst 
the men of the most ancient Church ; that it was not 
articulate, like the verbal speech of our time, but tacit, 
being effected not by external respiration, but by in- 
teraal : thus it wsls speech cogitative. It ^waa a.\ao i^er- 
niitted me to perceive the nature oi l\ve\T \Ti\.^xiva\ 
^wpir^tion^ J}ow itprpceeded from th^ naxd \,o\\w^\Jaft 



OT THE PLANET MARS. 6J 

heart, and thus through the lips without any thing of 
sound whilst they were speaking ; and that it did not 
enter into the ear of another by an external way, and 
beat on what is called the drum of the ear, but by a cer- 
tain internal way, and by what is called at this day the 
eustachian tube. 

It was further shewn me that by such speech they were 
enabled to express more fully the purposes of the mind, and 
the ideas of the thought, than can possibly be done by arti- 
culate sounds or expressions of the outward voice, which 
speech is in like manner directed by respiration, but 
such as is external ; for there is not a single expression, 
nor any constituent of expression which is not directed 
by applications of the respiration. This however was 
effected with the Antediluvians more perfectly, as being 
directed by internal respiration, which being of a more 
interior nature, is also more perfect, and more applicable 
and conformable to the ideas of thought. Moreover they 
were enabled to express their meaning by slight motions 
of the lips, and by corresponding changes of the counten- 
ance ; for being celestial men, whatsoever was the object 
of their thoughts shone forth from their faces and their 
eyes, which underwent a conformable variation, the face 
as to its form according to the life of the affection, and 
the eyes as to light. It was not possible for them on any 
account to express with the countenance what they did 
not think in their hearts ; and whereas their speech was 
effected by internal respiration, which is that of the 
spirit of man, therefore they were enabled to hold con- 
sort and discourse with angels." The respiration of the 
spirits of Mars was also communicated to me," and it 
was perceivable that their respiration proceeded from 
the region of the thorax towards the navel, and thence 
flowed upwards through the breast with an imperceptible 
breathing towards the mouth ; from which circumstances 
it was manifest to me, as also from other experimental 

ii That Bpirite and angels "havQ TesTOsvi\:iou»Ti.^^V^'^'^'»^s^^^ 



62 ON THE,EAETHS IN THE TJNIVERSE. 

proofs, that they were of a celestial genius, consequently 
not unlike those who were of the most ancient Church of 
this earth. ^ 

88. I was instructed that the spirits of Mars, in 
the Grand Man^ have relation to the medium between 
the intellect and the will, thus to thought from 
AFFECTION, and the best of them to the affection of 
THOUGHT : hence it is that their faces act in unity with 
their thought, nor can they in any case play the hypo- 
crite. And inasmuch as this is their relation in the Grand 
Man, therefore the middle province, which is between 
the cerebrum and the cerebellum, corresponds to them : 
for where the cerebrum and the cerebellum are joined toge- 
ther as to spiritual operations, with such persons the face 
acts in unity with the thought, so that the very affection 
of the thought beams forth from the face, and the general 
tone of the thought beams forth from the affection, which 
is discoYcrable also by certain signs from the eyes : 
wherefore whilst the spirits of Mars were with me, I had 
a sensible perception of a drawing back of the fore-part 
of the head towards the hind-part, consequently of the 
cerebrum towards the cerebellum.'''' 

89. On a time whilst the spirits of Mars were with 
me, and occupied the sphere of my mind, there came 
some spirits from our earth, and desired also to infuse 
themselves into that sphere : but instantly the spirits of 
our earth became as it were insane, by reason of the utter 
disagreement between them and the spirits of Mars. 
For the spirits of ^ur earth, in the Grand [Man, have 
relation to external sense ; hence they were in idea turned 
to the world and to self, whereas the spirits of Mars were 
in idea turned from self to heaven and their neighbour ; 

^^ That human faces on our earth in ancient times received 
influx from the cerebellum, and that then faces acted in unity 
with men's interior affections ; but that afterwards they received 
influx from the cerebrum, when man began to pretend to afi'eo- 
tionB which were not his own, and to fashion his countenance 
falBeljr according to such pretence: concerning the changes 
^^^bj^ occasioned in faces in process ot time.BW uo\A4aa5— 



OP TSE l»liANfiT MARS. 63 

hence came the contrariety. Bat at that instant there 
approached some angelic spirits of Mars, and at their 
approach the communication was closed, and thus the 
spirits of our earth retired. 

90. The angelic spirits discoursed with me concerning 
the life of the inhabitants of their earth, informing me 
that they are not under any forms of government, but 
that they live arranged into greater and lesser societies, 
and that they are associated witli each other according to 
their agreement in mind, which agreement they discover 
instantly by the face and speech, being seldom deceived 
in their judgment herein, and that then they are instantly 
united in friendship. They informed [me further that 
their consociations are delightful, and that they discourse 
with each other about what passes in their^societies, and 
especially about [^hat passes in heaven, for several of 
them have manifest communication with the angels of 
heaven. 

Such amongst them as begin to think perversely in 
their societies, and thereby to incline to evil, are disso- 
ciated, and left to themselves alone, in consequence 
whereof they lead a most wretched life out of all society, 
in dens or other places, being no longer regarded by 
the rest. Certain societies endeavour to compel such 
persons to repentance by various methods ; but if they 
cannot succeed herein, they separate themselves from all 
connexion with them. Thus they are careful to provide 
against the contagion of the lust of dominion and the lust of 
gain, that is, against any persons under the influence of 
the lust of dominion, subjecting to themselves any society, 
and by degrees several societies ; and against any,'under 
the influence of the lust of gain, depriving others of their 
possessions. Every one on that earth lives content with 
bis own property, and every one with his own share of 
honour, accounting it enough to be reputed upright and 
a lover of his neighbour. 

This delightful and tranquil state of mind wqulU 
perish uolees such as iucVin^ lo ^VA XXiwx^x.'^i^ ^s^^ ^«*^ 



64 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

positions were banished from the rest, and unless a pni» 
dent but severe* check was given to the first incroach- 
ments of self-love and the love of the world; for it was. 
owing to these loves that empires and kingdoms were 
first established, under which establishments there are 
few but what desire to have dominion, and to possess 
the property of others, there being few who do what is 
just and right out of a real love thereto, and still fewer 
who do good from charity itself, being rather influenced 
by other motives, suph as the fear of the law, and a 
regard to gain,«hononr, reputation and the like. 

91. In regard to divine worship as practised by the 
inhabitants of that earth, they informed^ me that they 
acknowledge and adore our Lord, saying that He is the 
only God, and that He governs both heaven and the uni- 
verse ; and that every good thing is from Him, and that 
He leads and directs them ; also that He often appears 
amongst them on their earth. It was then granted me 
to tell them, that Christians also on our earth know that 

. the Lord governs heaven and earth, agreeably to His own 
words in Matthew, All power is given to Me in heaven 
and on earth/' xxviil. 18 ; but that they do not believe it 
like the inhabitants of the earth Mars. They acquainted 
me further that on their earth the inhabitants believe 
that with themselves there is nothing but what is filthy 
and infernal, and that all good is of the Lord ; yea, they 
added further, that of themselves they are devils, and 
that the Lord draws them out of hell, and continually 
keeps them from falling into it again. On a certain 
occasion, when the name of the Lord was mentioned, I 
observed that those spirits humbled themselves in such 
Inward and profound abasement as no words can 
describe; for in their humiliation it was suggested to 
them that of themselves they were In hell, and thus that 
they were altogether unworthy to look to the Lord, Who 
is essential Holiness; and so deeply was this suggestion 
j'mplanted in them, being grounded in a true faith, that 

^^ejr were in a measure out of themselves, mi^ lemwxifc^ 



OF THE PLANET MAKS. 65 

in thatr state on their knees, until the Lord elevated 
them, and at the same time, as it were, drew them out 
of hell. When they emerge thus from humiliation, they 
are full of goodness and love, and thereby replenished 
• with joy of heart. During their abasement they do not 
turn their faces to the Lord, for this they dare not do, 
but turn them in a contrary direction. The spirits who 
were about me said that they never before were witnesses 
to such humiliation. 

92. It was a matter of surprise to some spirits who 
were from that earth, that there were about me so many 
spirits from hell, and that they also discoursed with me ; 
but I was allowed, to reply, that this was permitted them 
to the intent that I might know their natures and qualities, 
and why they were in hell, and that their infernal state 
was in consequence of and according to their evil lives. 
I was further allowed to declare, that there were several 
amongst them whom I had been acquainted with during 
their abode in the world, and that some of them had 
lived in high stations of dignity and pre-eminence, at 
which time the world alone bad possession of their 
hearts; but it was not in the power of any evil spirit, 
even the most infernal, to hurt me, being continually 
under the Lord^s protection. 

93. There was presented before me an inhabitant of 
that earth. He was not indeed an inhabitant, but like 
one. His face resembled the faces of the inhabitants of 
our earth, but the lower region of the face was black, not 
owing to his beard, for he had none, but to blackness in- 
stead of a beard: this blackness extended' itself under- 
neath the ears on both sides ; the upper part of the face 
was yellowish, like the faces of the inhabitants of our 
earth who are not perfectly fair. They said moreover 
that on that earth they feed on the fruits of trees, espe- 
cially on a kind of round fruit which buds forth from the 
ground; and likewise on pulse; and that they are 
clothed with garments wrought from t\3k& fLVi\ws& Vsrc^ ^\ 
oert&in trees, which haa auck & Qoittfi»\aX.^^^^ >}aa.\»'^ ^aa^'^'^ 



66 ON" THE KABTHS EST THE TJinVERSE. 

woven, and also stiffened by a kind of gum which they 
have amongst them. They related further that they are 
acquainted with the art of making fluid fires, whereby 
they have light during evening and night. 

94. I observed on a time a somethings flaming most 
beautiful. It was of various colours, as purple, and 
also a palish red, and the colours likewise sparkled 
beautifully by reason of the flame. I saw also a kind 
of hand to which that flaming appearance adhered, 
at first on the back part, afterwards on the palm, and 
thence it played round the hand on all sides. This 
continued for some time. Presently the hand with the 
flame was removed at a distance, and where it rested 
there was a bright lucid appearance. In that bright 
lucid appearance the hand retired from view, and in- 
Btantly the flame was changed into a bird, which at 
first was of like colours with the flaming appearance, 
the colours sparkling in like manner, but they succes- 
sively changed, and as the colours changed, the vigour of 
life in the bird changed also. It flew all around, and at 
first about my head, afterwards in a direction in front 
into a kind of narrow chamber, which appeared like some 
consecrated place ; and as it flew more in a front direc< 
tion, its life in proportion departed, till at length it was 
changed into a stone, at first of the colour of a pearl, 
but afterwards of an obscure colour ; but notwithstand- 
ing its being without life, it still continued flying. 

During the flight of this bird around my head, and 
whilst it was still in the vigour of life, there appeared 
a spirit from beneath rising through the region of 
the loins to the region of the breast, who thence de- 
sired to take away the bird ; but inasmuch as it was so 
beautiful, he was prevented by the spirits around me, 
who all kept their eyes fixed attentively upon it. But 
the spirit who rose from below powerfully persuaded 
tAem that the Lord was with him, and consequently that 
wliat he did was from, the Lord. Although most of them 
^V/ zio£ believe this, atili they no longer \nn^«t^^ \)Ma. 



OF THE PLANET MAES. 07 

■ — < 

from taking away the bird : he was not able, however, to 
retain it, by reason of an influx from heaven at that in- 
stant, and therefore presently let it fly out of his hand at 
perfect liberty. When this had passed, the spirits 
around me, who had been exceedingly attentive to the 
bird and its successive changes, began to discourse with 
each other concerning it, and continued their discourse 
for a considerable time. 

They had a perception that such appearance must 
needs signify somewhat celestial ; they knew that a flame 
signifies celestial love and its affections ; that hand to 
which the flaming appearance adhered signifies life and 
its power ; that changes of colour signify the varieties of 
life as to wisdom and intelligence; that bird has also 
a similar signification, but with this difference, that a 
flame signifies celestial love and the things belonging to 
that love, whereas bird signifies spiritual love and the 
things of that love ; celestial love is love to the Lord, 
and spiritual love is charity towards our neighbour w ; and 
that the changes of colours and at the same time of life 
in the bird, till at length it became a bird of stone, signify 
the successive changes of spiritual life as to intelli- 
gence. 

They knew further that the spirits, who ascend from 
beneath, through the region of the loins to the region 
of the breast, are in a strong persuasion that they 
are in the Lord, and hence believe that whatever 
they do, howsoever evil it may be, is done by them 
agreeably to the Lord's will. But though they knew 
all this, yet they could not hence know who were 
meant by this appearance. At length they were in- 
structed from heaven, that the inhabitants of Mars were 
meant ; that their celestial love, wherein as yet many 
are, was signified by the flaming appearance which 
adhered to the hand ; and that the bird in the beginning, 
whilst it was in the beauty of its colours auid Vc^ ^2c^ 
vigour of its life, signified i)[ie;\x ft^\T\\^Mi\.\<!i^^\\s^''*^^s^^^ 
by the tod's becoming «a i\. ^«i» ^ X^^^t^ ^"^ ^^«^^ ^^^ 



68 ON THE EABTHS JN THE UNIYEBSE. 

t 

void of life, and at length of an obscure colour, were 
signified such of the inhabitants as had removed them- 
selves from the good of love, and were in evil, and yet 
still believe that they are in the Lord. The like was 
signified by the spirit, who rose up and was desirous to 
take away the bird. 

05. By a bird of stone were also represented the in- 
habitants of that earth, who after a strange manner 
transmute the life of their thoughts and affections into 
almost no life, Concerning which circumstance I received 
the following information. There was a certain spirit 
above my head who discoursed with me, and from the 
sound of his voice it seemed as if he was in a state of 
sleep. In this state he spake many things, and all with 
a prudence equal to that of a person awake. It was 
given me to perceive that he was a subject by which the 
angels spake, and he in that state perceived and produced 
what was said by them^^ ; for he spake nothing but what 
was truet If anything flowed in from another source, he 
admitted it indeed, but did not bring it forth. I ques* 
tioned him concerning his state. He said that that state 
was to him a peaceable state ; that it was free from all 
solicitude respecting the future ; and that at the same 
time he was fruitful in producing uses, whereby he had 
communication with heaven. 1 was told that such, in 
the Grand Man, have relation to the longitudinal sinus, 
which lies in the brain between the two hemispheres 
thereof, and is there in a quiet state, howsoever the brain 
be disturbed on each side. During my conversation with 
this spirit, some spirits introduced themselves towards 
the fore-part of the head where he was, and pressed upon 
him ; wherefore he retired to one side, and gave them 
place. The stranger spirits discoursed with each other ; 
but their discourse was unintelligible both to myself and 

^ TJiat gojnTDimi cations are effected by means of spirits ienfc 

Axrtli from Bocietdea of Bpirii^ and angels to oUier societies, and 

SSiJiS^ enuswajy spirits are called subjects, n>. ««», ^«6fe,«j«a. 



OF THE PLANET MARS. 69 

to the spirits about me. I was instructed by the angels 
that tbey were spirits from the earth Mars, who had the 
art of discoursing with each other in such a manner that 
the spirits present could neither understand or perceive 
what they said. I wondered how such discourse could 
possibly be contrived, because all spirits have one speech, 
which flows from the thought, and consists of ideas 
which are heard as expressions in the spiritual world ; * 
but I was informed that those spirits by a certain method 
form ideas expressed by the lips and the countenance 
unintelligible to others, and that in the same instant they 
artfully withdraw the thoughts, being particularly 
cautious lest anything of affection should manifest itself, 
because in such case the thought would appear, inasmuch 
as thought flows from afiection, and is as it were in it. 

I was further instructed that the inhabitants of the 
earth Mars, who make heavenly life to consist in know- 
ledges alone, and not in a life of love, contrived such 
speech, but not all ; and that the contrivers thereof, when 
they become spirits, retain the same kind of speech. 
These are they who were particularly signified by the 

' bird of stone ; for to form a speech by modifications of 
the countenance and foldings of the lips, with a removal 
of the affections, and a withdrawing of the thoughts 
from others, is to deprive speech of its life and soul, and 
to make it like a dead image, and by degrees to do the 
like also to themselves. But although they suppose that 
their discourse is not understood by others, yet angelic 
spirits have a perception of all and every thing which 
they discourse about. The reason is, because it is not 
possible for any thought to be withdrawn from angelic 
spirits. This was also proved to them by living evidence. 
I was thinking concerning this circumstance, that the 
wicked spirits of our earth are not affected with shame 
when they infest others. This thought entered into me 
from some angelic spirits who b&d «i ^xq«^Mwcn.^\ '<^'ox. 
discourae. Those spirits ot M^wa\\xa\a»fii^ wSKass^X'e^^^ 

that that was the subject oi t\i«a ^^sftO«s»»> «s^^ '^'^'^ 



70 ON THE EARTHS IN THE TJNTVEESE. 

were much surprised. Moreover several things, which 
they both spake aad thought, were discovered by aa 
angelic spirit, notwithstanding all their endeavours to 
withdraw their thoughts from him. Afterwards those 
spirits entered from above into my face. The influx felt 
like small striated rain, which was a sign that they were 
not in the affection of truth and of good, for this is re- 
presented by what is striated. They then spake plainly 
with me, saying that the inhabitants of their earth dis- 
course in like manner with each other. They were then 
told that this is evil, because hereby they obstruct the 
influence of things internal, and recede from them to 
things external, which external things also they deprive • 
of their proper life ; and particularly, because to speak 
in such a manner is not sincere. 

For they who are sincere are never disposed to speak 
or even to think anything but what others may know, not 
caring if the whole world, yea, if the whole heaven, was 
acquainted with their words and thoughts; but they who 
arc otherwise disposed judge and think evil of others, and 
well of themselves, and at length are betrayed through 
habit to think and speak evil of the Church, of heaven, 
yea, and of the Lord Himself. I have been informed 
that they who love knowledges, and not so much a life 
a cording to knowledges, in the Grand Man, have re- 
lation to the interior membrane of the skull ; but that 
they who accustom themselves to speak without affec- 
tion, and to draw the thought to themselves and with- 
draw it from others, have relation to that membrane 
when become bony because from having some spiritual 
life, they come at length to have none. 

96. Inasmuch as by a bird of stone are also repre- 
sented those who are in knowledges alone, and in no life 
of love, and inasmuch as hence they have no spiritual 
life, therefore, by way of appendix, we shall take this op- 
portunlty of shewing that they alone have spiritual life 
w/io are in celestial love, and thence in kn.o"w\edge& \ «cA. 
^Aieach kind of love contains in itaeli a\\lKXio^\<fe^«^ 



OP THE PLANET MAES. 



belonging to that lore. This may be exemplified by the 
case of all living creatures, whether they be the inhabi- 
tants of earth or of air. Each is in possession of the 
knowledge of all things of its particular lore, which love 
has respect to nourishment, a safe habitation, the propa- 
gation of their kind, the care of their young, and with 
some to providing for themselves during winter ; where- 
fore each is in possession of all knowledge that is requi- 
site, such knowledge being implanted in its love, and 
flowing into each animal as into fts proper receptacle ; 
and in some cases being of such an extraordinary nature, 
that man cannot but be amazed at it. With the animals, 
however, knowledge is connate, and is called instinct; never- 
theless it belongs to the natural love in which they are 
principled : and if man was principle^ in his proper love, 
which is love to God and towards his neighbour, which is 
man's proper love, as distinguishing him from the beasts, 
being heavenly love, then man would not only be in all 
requisite knowledge, but likewise in all intelligence and 
wisdom ; for intelligence and wisdom would flow from 
heaven into those two kinds of love, that is, through 
heaven from the Divine Being. But inasmuch as man is 
not bom to those two kinds of love, but to their con- 
traries, namely, to self-love and the love of the world, 
therefore he must needs be bom in all ignorance and 
want of knowledge. Kevertheless by divine means he is 
brought to somewhat of intelligence and wisdom, but 
still not actually so, unless the love of self and of the 
world be removed, and thus a way be opened for love to 
God and towards his neighbour. That love to God and 
neighbourly love contain in them all intelligence and 
wisdom, may appear from the case of those in another 
life who, during their abode in this world, have been in 
such love. When these after death are admitted into 
heaven, they there come into such knowledge and wisdom 
as they before had no conception, ot \ ^«ai,\Xvsr3 ^ScM^-wsi^ 
apeak there like the rest oi tYie Mi%'e^s^,«vk<2cL^0si^sis^^»*^wK. 
ha8 not heard, neither haa \\i cii\«t^^ VdXa \5aA\tf«^ ^ 



72 ON THE EARTHS IN a?HE TTNIVEHSE. 

man to conceive, which are ineffable. The reason is, be- 
cause those two kinds of love have the faculty of receiv- 
ing into themselves such things. 



Of TfiB Earth or Planet Saturn, its Spirits and 

Inhabitants. 

97. The spirits from the earth Saturn appear in front 
at a considerable distance, beneath in the plane of the 
knees, where the earth itself is ; and when the eye ib 
opened to see thither, a multitude of spirits come into 
view who are all from that earth. They are seen on this 
part of that eai*th^ and to the right of it. I was per- 
mitted also to discourse with them, and thereby to dis- 
cover their qualities in respect to others. They are up- 
right and they are modest ; and inasmuch as they esteem 
themselves little, therefore they also appear little in 
another life. 

98. In acts of divine worship they are exceedingly 

humble, for on such occasions they account themselves 

as nothing. They worship our Lord, and acknowledge 

Him as the only God. The Lord also appears to thenk 

at times under an angelic form, and thereby as a Man, 

and at such times what is Divine beams forth from the 

face and affects the mind. The inhabitants also, when 

they arrive at a certain age, discourse with spirits, by 

whom they are instructed concerning the Lord, how He 

ought to be worshipped, and likewise how they ought to 

live. When any attempt is made to seduce the spirits 

who come from the earth Saturn, and to withdraw them 

from faith in the Lord, or from humiliation towards Him, 

and from uprightness of life, they say that they would 

i&ther die ; on such occasions there appear in their hands 

liUIe knivea, with which they seem desirous to strike 
^Ae/r baaoma; on being questioned w\iy t\i^e^ do «ic>, \^«^ 
that they vonid rather die than be drvwiiua^deitoTiiVSM 



OF THE PLANET SATURN. 73 

Lord. The spirits of our earth sometimes deride them 
on this account, and infest them with reproaches ; hut 
their reply is, that they are well aware they do not kill 
themselves, and that this is only an appearance flowing 
from their will, inclining them rather to die than to be 
withdrawn from the worship of the Lord. * 

99. They said that sometimes spirits from our earth 
come to them, and ask them what God they worship ; 
and that the answer they gave them is, that they are out 
of their senses, and that there cannot be a greater proof 
of insanity than to ask what God any one worships, 
when there is but one only God for all in the universe ; 
and that they are still more beside themselves in this, 
that they do not acknowledge the Lord to be that 
one only God, and that He rules the universal heaven, 
and thereby the universal world ; for Wb<)soever rules 
heaven rules also the world, inasmuch as the world is 
ruled by and through heaven. 

100. They said that on their earth there are also some 
who call the nocturnal light, which is great, the Lord ; 
but that they are separated from the rest, and are not 
tolerated by them. That nocturnal light comes from the 
great belt, which at a distance encompasses that earth, 
and from the moons which are called Saturn's satellites. 

101. They related further that another kind of spirits, 
who go in companies, frequently come to them, desiring 
to know all particulars relative to their circumstances, 
and that by various methods they extract from them 
whatever they know. They observed concerning these 
spirits, that they were not beside themselves, only in this, 
that they desire to know so much for no other intent than 
to possess knowledge. They were afterwards instructed 
that these spirits were from the planet Mercury, or the 
earth nearest the sun, and that they are delighted with 
knowledges alone, and not so much with the uses thence 
derived. 

102. The inhabitante wad apmXA ^il >ijRft^\«ariv»'^'<«^^^ 
hsre rehtioD, in the Grawd 1*.a«, Vi >i>aft ikoaa*^ ~^ 



74 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

BETWEEN THB SPIRITUAL AND THB NATURAL HAN, but tO 

that which recedes from the natural and accedes to the 
spiritual. Hence it is that those spirits appear to be 
carried or snatched away into heaven, and presently to be 
let back again ; for whatever is of the spiritual sense is in 
heaven, but whatever is of the natural sense is beneath 
heaven. Inasmuch as the spirits of our earth, in the 
Grand Man, have relation to natural and corporeal sense, 
it was permitted me to know by manifest experience how 
the spiritual man and the natural fight and strive with 
each other, when the latter is not in faith and charity. 

The spirits of the earth Saturn came from afar into 
view, and instantly there was opened a living communi- 
cation between them and such spirits of our earth as were 
not in faith and charity. The latter, on thus perceiving 
the former, became like persons insane, and began to in- 
fest them, by infusing unworthy suggestions concerning 
faith, and also concerning the Lord; and whilst they 
were busied in these invectives and abuses, they also 
cast themselves into the midst of them, and in the spirit 
of insanity by which they were possessed endeavoured to 
do them mischief. But the spirits of Saturn were not 
at all afraid, because they were secure and in tranquillity; 
whereas the spirits of our earth, when they were in the 
midst of them, began to be tortured, and to respire with 
difficulty, and in consequence thereof made their escape 
with all precipitation, one in this way and another that, 
till they all disappeared. 

The spirits who were present perceived from this cir- 
cumstance what is the nature of the natural man when 
separate from the spiritual, and when he comes into a 
spiritual sphere, namely, that he is insane ; for the natu- 
ral man separate from the spiritual is wise only with a 
wisdom that originates in the world, and not with the 
wisdom that is from heaven ; and he who is wise only 
witli the wisdom that originates in the world, believes 

noihing bat what be can apprehend witih \ua ftftHBea, wsA. 

if ibinga which he beiieres are grounded in. \.\i^ i»i\aR\«^ 



OF THE PLANET SATUny. 75 

of the senses, which, unless they are removed by an influx 
from the spiritual world, produce false principles and 
persuasions. Hence it is that spiritual things are things 
of naught to such persons, insomuch that they can scarce 
boar to hear mention made of any thing spiritual ; where- 
fore they become insane when they are kept in a spiritual 
sphere. It is otherwise during their abode in the world, 
where they either think naturally concerning spiritual 
things, or avert their ears that they may not hear them ; 
that is, they hdar and do not attend. It was also mani- 
fest from this experimental evidence, that the natural 
man cannot introduce itself into the spiritual, that is, 
ascend ; but when man is in faith, and thereby in spiri- 
tual life, in this case the spiritual man flows into the 
natural, and thinks therein ; for there is given a spiritual 
influx, that is, an influx from the spiritual world into the 
natural, but not the reverse, or from the natural into the 
spiritual.""" 

103. I was further informed by the spirits of that 
earth respecting the consociations of the inhabitants, 
with several other particulars. They said that they live 
divided into families, every family apart by itself; each 
family consisting of a man and his wife with their chil- 
dren ; and that the children, when they enter the married 
state, are separated from the house, and have no further 
care about it; wherefore the spirits from that earth 
appear two and two : that they are little solicitous about 
food and raiment ; that they feed on the fruits and pulse 
which their earth produces ; and that they are clothed 
slightly, being encompassed with a coarse skin or coat, 
which repels the cold : moreover, that all on that earth 
Vnow that they shall live after death ; and that on this 
account also they make light of their bodies, only so far 

""" That influx is splritufil, and not physical or natural^ cotLSA* 
quently that influx is Irom'thB *pVTV\.\X'BX.'^ox\"^\xi}«i"<JQa^i»to3^.N 
uad not from the natural into t^^ ftP«V^^aa^>x^..^^^V^^^^^f^ 
S427, Sm, 6477, 6322. That it ap^wa* w^ M '^'^^^^^'^ 
UmalB into man's internals, \)\)Lt tibfift Va %. l-ei^JWS! %^«^^^* 



76 ON THE EARTHS IN THE TTNIVERSE. 

as regards that life, which they say is to remain and 8er7e 
the Lord. It is for this reason likewise that they do not 
bury the bodies of the dead, but cast them forth, and 
cover them with branches of forest trees. 

104. Being questioned concerning that great belt, 
which appears from our earth to rise above the horizon of 
that planet, and to vary its situations, they said, that it 
does not appear to them as a belt, but only as somewhat 
whitish like snow in the heaven in various directions. 



Op the Earth or Planet Vekxts, its Spirits and 

Inhabitants. 

105. The planet Yenus, in the idea of spirits and 
angels, appears to the left a little backwards, at some 
distance from our earth. It is said, ** in the idea of 
spirits," because neither the sun of this world, nor any 
planet, appears to any spirit ; but spirits have only an 
idea that they exist. It is in consequence of such idea 

_ that the sun of this world is presented behind as some- 
what darkish, and the planets not moveable as in the 
world, but remaining constantly in their several places : 
see above, n. 42. 

106. In the planet Yenus there are two kinds of men, 
of tempers and dispositions opposite to each other; "the 
first mild and humane, the second savage and almost 
bratal. They who are mild and humane appear on the 
further side of the earth, they who are savage and almost 
brutal appear on the side looking this way. But it is to 
be observed that they appear thus according to the states 
of their life, for in the spiritual world the state of life de- 
termines every appearance of space and of distance. 

107. Some of those who appear on the further side of 
the j)lanet, and who are mild and humane, came to me, 

and were presented riaibly siboYe Bay head, and discoursed 

*2^ me on variom subJectB. Amongst other pM\i<i\j\w», 

mf ^^ ^at daring their abode in the voT\d, wiOl mot^ 



OF THE PLANET VENUS. 77 

BO since they were become spirits, they acknowledged our 
Lord as their only God. They added that on their earth 
they had seen Him, and they represented also how they 
had seem Hiin. These spirits in the Grand Man hare 
relation to the mbmort of things material, AORSBiNa 

WITH THE mbmort OF THINQS IMMATERIAL, tOwMch the 

spirits of Mercury have relation : wherefore the spirits of 
Mercury have the fullest agreement with these spirits of 
Yenus, and on this account, when they were together, 
a remarkable change and a powerful operation in my 
brain, was perceivable from their influx: see above, n. 43. 

108. I did not however discourse with those spirits 
who are on the side that looks this way, and who are 
savage and almost brutal ; but I was informed by the 
angels concerning their quality, and whence it comes that 
they are so brutal. The cause is this, that they are ez' 
ceedingly delighted with rapine, and more especially with 
eating their booty ; the delight thence arising, when they 
think about eating their booty, was communicated to me, 
and was perceived to be most extraordinary. That on 
this earth there have been inhabitants of a like brutal 
nature, appears from the histories of various nations; 
also from the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, 1 Sam. 
XXX. 16 ; and likewise from the Jewish and Israelitish 
nation, even in the time of David, in that they made 
yearly excursions, and plundered the Gentiles and re- 
joiced in feasting on the spoils. I was informed farther, 
that those inhabitants are for the most part giants, and 
that the men of our earth reach only to their navels : also 
that they are stupid, making no inquiries concerning 
heaven or eternal life, but immersed solely in earthly 
cares and the care of their cattle. 

100. Because they are such, when they come into 
another life they are exceedingly infested there by evils 
and false persuasions. The hells, which belong to them, 
appear near their earth, and have no communication with 
the hells of the wicked of oxlt ^T\\v,\i^ ^^'^'^wjl^V SKnkvs. 



78 ON THE EAETHS IN THE UNIVEESE. 

different tempers and dispositions : hence also their evils 
and false persuasions are totally of a different sort. 

110. Such, however, amongst thevi, as are in the 
capacity of being saved, are in places of vastation, and 
are there reduced to the last stage of desperation ; for 
there is no other method whereby evils and false per- 
suasions of that kind can be subdued and removed. 
When they are in a state of desperation, they cry out 
that they are beasts, that they are abominations, that 
they are hatreds, and that thereby they are damned. 
Some of them, when they are in this state, exclaim even 
against heaven ; but as this proceeds from desperation, it 
is forgiven them. The Lord moderates on these occa- 
sions, and restrains within proper limits their harsh and 
bitter expressions. These, when they have passed through 
extreme suffering, are finally saved, inasmuch as things 
corporeal with them are hereby brought to a kind of 
death. It was further declared concerning these spirits, 
that during their life on their earth they believed in some 
great Creator without a Mediator ; but when they are 
saved, they are also instructed that the Lord Alone is 
God, the Saviour and Mediator. I have seen some of 
them after they have passed through extreme suffering, 
taken up into heaven; and when they were received 
there, I have been made sensible of such a tenderness of 
joy from them as drew tears from my eyes. 



Of thb Spirits and Inhabitahts or the Moon. 

111. Certain spirits appeared over my head, and 
thence were heard voices like thunder : for the thunder of 
their voices exactly resembled the sound of thunder from 
the clouds after lightning. I at first conjectured that it 
was owing to a great multitude of spirits, who had the 
art of uttering voices attended with so loud a noise. The 
more simple apirita who were with m^ auivYftOi q\x \jEift 



OF THE MOON. 79 



occasion, at whicli I was much surprised ; but the cause 
of their smiling was presently discovered to be this, that 
the spirits who thundered were not many, but few, and 
were also as little as children ; and that on former occa- 
sions they had terrified them by such noises and yet 
were unable to do them any hurt. That I might know 
what they are, some of them descended from on high 
where they were thundering ; and what'surprised me, one 
carried another on his back, and thus two of them 
approached me. Their faces appeared not unhandsome, 
but longer than the faces of other spirits. In regard to 
stature, they appeared like children of seven years old, 
but more robust ; thus they were dwarfs. It was told 
me by the angels, that they were from the Moon. He 
who was carried on the other's back, on coming to me, 
applied himself to my left side under the elbow, and 
thence discoursed with me, saying that whenever they 
utter their voices they thus thunder ; and that thereby 
they terrify the spirits who are inclined to do them mis- 
chief, and put some to flight, and that thus they go with 
security whithersoever they are disposed. To convince 
me that the noise they make was of such a sort, he re- 
tired from me to some other spirits, but not entirely out 
of sight, and thundered in like manner. They shewed 
moreover, that the voice being ubtered from the abdomen, 
like an eructation, made this thundering sound. 

It was perceived that this was owing to this particular 
circumstance, that the inhabitants of the Moon do not 
speak from the lungs like the inhabitants of other earths, 
but from the abdomen, and thus from a certain quantity 
of air there collected, by reason that the Moon is not 
encompassed with an atmosphere like that of other earths. 
I was instructed that the spirits of the Moon, in the 
Grand Man, have relation to the ensiform cartilage or 
xiphoides, to which the ribs in front are joined, and from 
which descends the fascia cdba, which is the fulcrum of 
the abdominal muscles. 

iXa That there are mhabitauAa Va \Jaa mow^Ns^-^^S^ 



80 ON THE "EABTHS IK THE X7NIYEBSE. 

known to spirits and angels, and in like manner that 
there are inhabitants in the moons or satellites which re- 
volve about Jupiter and Satam. They who have not 
seen and discoursed with spirits coming from those 
moons, still entertain no doubt but there are men in- 
habiting them, because they are earths alike with the 
planets, and w herever an earth is, there are men inhabi- 
tants ; for man is the end for which every earth was 
created, and nothing was made by the Great Creator 
without an end. That the human race, as constituent of 
heaven, is the end of creation, may appear to every one 
who thinks from a reason at all enlightened. 



The Beasons wht the Lord was Willing to be Bore 
ON oi/'R Earth, and not on another. 

113. There are several reasons, concerning which I 
had information from heaven, why it pleased the Lord 
to be born and to assume a humanity on our earth, and 
not on another. The principal reason tvas because qf 
the Word, in that it might be written on our earth ; and 
when written be afterwards published Hiroughout the 
whole earth ; and when once published be preserved to all 
posterity ; and that thus it might be made manifest, even 
to all in the other life, that Ood was made man, 

114. That (he principal reason was because of the 
Word, is in consequence of the Word being essential 
Divine Truth, which teaches man that there is a God, 
that there is a heaven and a hell, and that there is a life 
after death ; and teaches moreover how man ought to live 
and believe, in order to bis admission into heaven and 
thereby to eternal happiness. All these things would 
have been altogether unknown without a revelation, con- 
sequently on this earth without the word ; and yet man 
ia BO created that as to his interiors he cannot die."*^ 

*• That by more natural light nothing can. \5e taia^m. coucem- 
jitviliffJAxni, oonouamg JuMven and hellt Gionfi6n^3^t!l[^>jl%Qt 



WHY THE LOM> WAS BOKN ON OTTR EAETH. 81 

116. That the Word might he wriUen on our earth, 
is in consequence of the art of writing having existed 
here from the most ancient time, first on the rind or bark 
of trees, next on - skins or parchment, afterwards on 
paper, and lastly by types as in printing. This was pro- 
vided of the Lord for the sake of the Word. 

116. That the Word might afterwards be published 
throughout the whole earth, is in consequence of the com- 
munication opened here amongst all nations, both by land 
and water, to all parts of the globe ; hence that the Word 
once written might be conveyed from one nation to 
another, and be taught in all places. 

117. That the Word once wriUen might be preserved 
to all posterity, consequently for thousands and thousands 
of years, and that it has been so preserved, is well 
known. 

118. Thai thus it might be inade manifest thai God 
was made man ; for it was with a view to this chief and 
most essential object that the Word was revealed, in- 
asmuch as no one can believe in a God, and love a 
God, whom he cannot comprehend under some appear- 
ance ; wherefore they who acknowledge an invisible 
and thus incomprehensible principle, in thought sink 
into nature, and consequently believe in no God : 
hence it pleased the <Lord to be bom on this earth, 
and to make this manifest by the Word, that it might 
not only be known on this globe, but also might be 
made mantfest thereby to spirits and angels even from 
other earths, and likemse to the Gentiles from our own 
earth°'* 

man after death, and concerning Divine Truths, by which man 
has spiritual and eternal life, n. 8944, 10318, 10319, 10320. That 
this may appear from this consideration, that several, and 
amongst them the learned, do not believe those things, although 
they are bom where the Word is, and where there is instruction 
by the Word concerning those things, n. 10319. That therefore 
it was necessary there should be a revelation from hftia.^j«sv, 
because man was bom for heaven, tci. XHh . 

«» That the Gentiles in flaiotkiet '^U«.T^VTA\srQ>a\a?Ocrg ^^^^^ 
and th&t they who have Uved gooOt U-^^^ w-wc^icsa^t Vi^««^^ 



82 OF THE EAUMS IK Tltfi UlftVfiftSfi* 

a 1 , 

119. It is to be observed that the Word on oar 
earth, giren through heaven from the Lord, is the union 
of heaven and. the world ; for which end there is a corre- 
spondence of all things contained in the letter of the 
Word with divine things in heaven ; and the Word in its 
supreme and inmost sense treats of the Lord, of His 
kingdom in the heavens and the earths, and of love and 
faitii from Him and in Him, consequently of life from 
Him and in Him. Such tilings are presented to the 
angels in heaven, when the Word of our earth is read and 
preached. PP 

120 » In every other earth Divine Truth is manifested 
by word of mouth by spirits and angels, as was said above 
in f>peaking of the inhabitants of the earths in this solar 
system. But this manifestation is confined to families ; 
for mankind in most earths live distinct according to 
families ; wherefore Divine Truth thus revealed by spirits 
and angels is not conveyed far beyond the limits of 
families, and unless a new revelation constantly sue- 
peeds, truth is either perverted or perishes. It is otherwise 
on our earth, where Divine Truth, which is the Word, re- 
mains for ever in its integrity. 

121. It is to be observed that the Lord acknowledges 
and receives all, of whatsoever earth they be, who ac- 
knowledge and worship God under a human form, inas- 
much as God under a human form is the Lord : and 
whereas the Lord appears to the inhabitants in the 
earths in an angelic form, which is a human form, there- 

ligious principles, receive the truths of faith, and acknowledge 
the Lord, n. 20i9, 2595, 2598, 2600, 2601, 2603, 2661, 28«8, 3263. 

PP That the Word is understood by the angels in the heavens 

after a different manner from what it is understood by men 

on the eekrths, and that the internal or spiritual sense is for the 

angels, but the external or natural sense for men, n. 1769 — 1772, 

1887, 2143, 2333, 2S96, 2510, 2641, 2646, 2651. That the Word is 

conjunctive of heaven and earth, n. 2310, 2496, 9212, 9216, 9357, 

20357. That the Word therefore was written by mere corre- 

spondencea, n. 140h 1408, 1409, 1510, 1619, 1669, 1709, 1783, 8615, 

loear. That in the inmoBt sense of the \\ orCL t^ie "Loxei «.\snvft wivi 

Mj^^/n^loBi lire treated of, n. 1873, 224©, ^6W,lO\4i,«^^T. 



WHY THE LOBD WAS BORN OK OTTB EARTH. 83 

fore when the spirits and angels from those earths are 
informed by the spirits and angels of onr earth that God 
is actually Man, they receive that word, acknowledge it, 
and rejoice that it is so. 

122. To the reasons above adduced, may be added, 
that the inhabitants and spirits of our earth, in the 
Grand Man, have relation to natural and external sense, 
which sense is the ultimate wherein the interiors of life 
close, and rest as in their common basis. The case is 
similar in regard to Divine Truth in the letter, which is 
called the Word, and which for this reason also was given 
on this earth, and not on any other : 11 and whereas the 
Ijord is the Word, and is the first and last thereof, there- 
fore, that all things might exist according to order. He 
was willing to be born on this earth, and be made the 
Word, according to what is written in John, *' In the 
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with 
God, and God was the Word. This was in the be- 
ginning with God. All things were made by Him, 
and without Him was not anything made which was 
made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt 
atnongst tis, and we beheld His glory^ the glory as of 
the Only-bejotten of ike Father. No one hath seen 
God at any time ; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the 
bosom of the Father, He hath exposed Him to view." 
i. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 18. The Word is the Lord as to Divine 
Truth, consequently Divine Truth from the Lord." But 
this is an arcanum which will be intelligible only to very 
few. 



<)i That the Word in tho sense of th« letter is natural, n. 8783. 
By reason that what is natural is the ultimate, wherein spiritual 
and celestial things closo, and on which they subsist as on their 
foundation, and that otherwise the internal or spiritual sense of 
the Word would bo as a house without a foundation, n. 9430, 
9433, 9824, 10014, 10130. 

" That the Word is tho Lord as to Divine Truth, consequently 
Divine Truth from the Lord, n. 2859, 4692» W7&.W«l. 't:viSjS»>OT 
Divine Truth aJl things were created wA TojaAft, xw.*i»Rfi»^'«s»ik^ 
S272, 7835, 



84 OF THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 



Of the Eabths in the Starrt Hbayeii. 

128. Thbt who are m heaven can discourse and con- 
verse with angels and Hpiriis who are not only from the 
earths in this solar system, but also from other earths in 
the universe out of this system ; and not only with the 
spirits and angels there, but also with the inhabitants 
themselves, only however with those whose interiors are 
open, 80 that they can hear such as speak from heaven. 
The same is the case with man during his abode in the 
world, to whom it has been granted by the Lord to dis- 
course with spirits and angels ; for man is a spirit as to 
his interiors, the body which he carries about in the 
world only serving him for performing functions in this 
natural or terrestrial sphere, which is the ultimate of all 
spheres. But it is allowed to no one to discourse as a 
spirit with angels and spirits, unless he be such that he 
can consociate with angels as to faith and love ; nor can 
he BO consociate, unless he have faith and love to the 
Lord ; for man is joined to the Lord by faith and love to 
Him, that is, by truths of doctrine and goods of life 
derived from Him ; and when he is joined to the Lord, 
he is secure from the assaults of evil spirits from hell. 
With others the interiors cannot be so far opened, since 
they are not in the Lord. This is the reason why there 
are few at this day who are permitted to speak and con- 
verge with angels ; a manifest proof whereof is, that the 
existence of spirits and angels is scarcely believed at this 
day, much less that they are attendant on every man, and 
that by them man has connexion with heaven, and by 
heaven with the Lord. Still les^ is it believed that man, 
when he dies as to the body, lives a spirit, even in a 
h'l nan form as before. 

124. Inasmuch as there are many at this day in the 

Church who have no faith concerning a life after death, 

and scarce any concerning heaven, or concerning the 

Lord aa being the Ood of heaven and e&tiVi, tU%refQre the 

iaterion of my Bpidt are opea by tho Loxd., ^o Wa\>\ vsi 



OF THE EAETHS IN THE STAEEY HEAVEN. 85 

enabled, during my 'abode in the body to have inter- 
course with the angels in heaven ; and not only to dis- 
course with them, but also to see the astonishing things 
of their kingdom, and to describe the same, in order to 
check from henceforth the cavils of those who urge, 
<* Did ever any one come from heaven and assure us that 
such a place exists, and acquaint us with what is doing 
there 1' Nevertheless, I am aware that they who in 
heart have heretofore denied a heaven and a hell and a 
life after death, will even still continue in the obstinacy 
of unbelief and denial ; for it is easier to make a raven 
white than make those believe who have once in heart 
rejected faith ; the reason of which is, that such persons 
always think about matters of faith from a negative 
state, and not from an affirmative. May the things, 
however, which have been hitherto declared, and which 
we have further to declare, concerning angels and spirits, 
be for the use of those few who are in faith I whilst it U 
permitted me, in order to bring others to somewhat of 
acknowledgment, to relate such particulars as delight and 
engage the attention of persons desirous of knowledge ; 
for which purpose we shall now proceed to give an ac- 
count of earths in the starry heaven. 

125. He who is unacquainted with the arcana of 
heaven cannot believe that a man is capable of seeing 
earths so remote, and of giving any account of them 
from sensible experience : but let such a one know that 
the spaces and distances, and consequent progressions, 
which exist in the natural world, are, in their origin 
and first cause, changes of the state of interior things; 
that with angels and spirits they appear according to 
such changes ; *' and that therefore angels and spirits 
may by such changes be apparently translated from one 
place to another, and from one earth to another, even 

■* That motions, progressions, and changes of place, in another 
life, arc changes of the states of l\ve Vcv\«c\sst^ <A'^&ife»*s^^'<i^^ 
nevertheless it really appears to s^mt^ «cA w\%^"^ *» '"^ \»ss^ 
actmlly existed, n. 1278— 1277,1^11,^^0^.^^'^^ A^**^*^- 



86" OP THE EAETH8 IN THE TJIHTERSE. 

to eartliB at the extreme boundaries of the universe. 
The case is the same also with man as to his spirit, 
and therefore he also may be so translated, whilst 
his body still continues in its own place. This has 
been the case with myself, since by the Divine mercy 
of the Lord I have been permitted to converse with 
spirits as a spirit, and at the same time with men as 
a man. The sensual man is not capable of conceiving 
that man as to his spirit can be thus translated, inas- 
much as the sensual man is immersed in space and in 
time, and measures his progressions accordingly. 

126. That there are many worlds may appear to every 
one from this consideration, that so many stars appear 
in the universe ; and it is well known to the learned, 
that every star is as a sun in its own place, remaining 
fixed as the sun of our earth in its place : and that it is 
owing solely to distance that it appears in a small form 
like a star ; consequently, that each star has planets re- 
volving around it, which are so many earths, in like 
manner as the sun of our system has ; and that the 
reason why those planets, or earths, do not appear, is 
because of their immense distance, and of their having no 
light but what they receive from their own star, which 
light cannot be reflected so far as to reach us. 

For what other end or purpose shall we say, was so 
large a firmament created with so many stars ! The end 
of the creation of the universe is man, in order that an 
angelic heaven might be formed of men : but what 
would mankind and an angelic heaven from one single 
earth avail to answer the purposes of an Infinite Creator, 
for which a thousand, yea ten thousand earths, would 
not suffice ? By calculation it appears that supposing 
there were in the universe a million earths, and on 
every earth three hundred millions of men, and two 
hundred generations within six thousand year^, and that 
to eveiy man or spirit wad allotted a space of three cubic 
e/I^ In this case the sum of men or sprnt^ ^o\V^c\l'7«ly 
^^mtldnot occupy a apaco equal to a tiouaaxi^Vk -^mN.^A 



OP A FIRST EARTH m THE STARRY HEAVEN. 87 

this earth, consequently not more than the space pos- 
sessed by one of t6e satellites of Jupiter or Saturn, 
which would be a space so diminutive in respect to the 
universe, that it would be scarcely discernible ; for a 
satellite of Jupiter or Saturn is scarcely visible to the 
naked eye : and what would this be in regard to the pur- 
poses of the Creator of the universe, to answer which, 
the H hole universe, though filled with earths, would be 
inadequate, for He is Infinite ! In discoursing on this 
subject with the angels, they have told me that they 
have a like idiea concurring the fewness of'' the human 
race in respe(!t to the infinity of the Creator ; but that 
their thoughts on the subject originate not from spaces, 
but from states, and that according to their idea, sup- 
posing the number of earths to be as many myriads as 
could be conceived in thought, they would still be as 
nothing to the Lord. The information which I am 
about to give concerning the earths in the starry heaven, 
is from experimental testimony, whereby it will likewise 
appear, how I was translated thither as to my spirit, 
whilst my body continued in its own place. 



Of the First Eabth in the Starrt Heaven, its Spirits 
AND Inhabitants, from Things Heard and Seen. 

127. I was led by the fingels from the Lord to a cer- 
tain earth in the starry heaven, where I was permitted to 
take a view of the earth itself, yet not to speak with the 
inhabitants, but with spirits who came from thence, for 
all the inhabitants or men of every earth, after finishing 
their course of life in the world, become spirits, and 
remain near their own earth. From these however I 
received information concerning the earth, and concern* 
ing the state of the inhabitants thereof; for men, when 
they leave the body, carry with them all their former life, 
and all their memory. " To be led to earths in the 

»» That man after death retama l\ift m^TMsrj q1 ^iJ\\si& ^'^scw^'ssCTis^ 
iU thQ world, n. 2i76— JWfi©, 



88 OF THE EAETHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

Universe, is not to be led and translated thither as t< 
the body, but as to the spirit ; and the spirit is led b^ 
variations of the state of interior life, which appear to i 
as progressions through spaces. Approaches are als< 
effected according to agreements or resemblances o 
states of life ; for agreement produces conjunction 
whereas disagreement and dissimilitude produce disjunc 
tion. Hence it may appear how translation is effected a 
to the spirit, and its approach to things remote, whils 
the man still remains in his own place. But to lead i 
spirit, by variations of the state of his interiors, out o 
his own world, and to cause the variations successiveb 
to advance even to a state agreeing with or like to thoa 
to whom he is led, is in the power of the Lord alone ; fo 
there must be a continual direction and foresight fron 
first to last, both in advancing and returning back again 
especially when the translation is to be effected with i 
man who is still as to the body in the natural world, an< 
thereby in space. That such a translation has beei 
effected, will appear incredible to those who are im 
mersed in the sensual-corporeal life, and whose thought 
originate in sensual-corporeal things, nor can they be in 
duced to believe it. The reason is, because the sensual 
corporeal life cannot conceive of progression withou 
space ; but they who think from the sensual part of thei: 
spirit, somewhat removed or withdrawn from the sensua 
part of the body, consequently who think from an in 
terior thought in themselves, may be induced to believi 
and to conceive it, since in the idea of interior though. 
i!| there is neither space nor time, but instead thereof sue] 

- ' things whence spaces and times had birth. For the nsi 

of these latter the following account is written renpect 
ing the earths in the starry heaven, and not for tb 
former, unless they be in a state to suffer themselves t( 
be instructed. 

128. At a time when I was broad awake, I was led aj 

/^ ^^e spirit by angels from the Lord to & certaii 

earili Ja the anirerae^ accompanied by some ^^v\\\.i Ix^i^ 



OF A FIBST EARTH IN THE STAERY HEAYEN". 89 

this orb. Our progression was in a direction to the right, 
and continued for two hours. Near the boundary of our 
solar system there appeared first a whitish cloud, but 
thick; and behind it a fiery smoke ascending from a 
great chasm. It was a vast gulph, separating on that 
side, our solar system from some other systems of the 
starry heaven. The fiery smoke appeared at a consider- 
able distance. I was conveyed through the midst of it, 
and instantly there appeared beneath in the chasm or 
gulph several men who were spirits, for spirits appear 
all in a human form, and are actually men. I also heard 
them discoursing with each other, but whence they were, 
or of what sort, it was not given me to know. One of 
them, however, told me that they were guards, to prevent 
spirits passing fi)om this world to any other in the 
universe without having obtained leave. That such was 
the case, was also confirmed by this circumstance, that 
some spirits who wer% in company, to whom it was not 
permitted to pass, when they came to that great gulph or 
interstice, began to cry out vehemently that they were 
lost and undone ; for they were as persons struggling in 
the agonies of death ; wherefore they halted on that side 
of the gulph, nor could they be conveyed further; for the 
fiery smoke exhaling from the gulph affected them 
powerfully with its influence, and thus put them to 
torture. 

129. After I wm conveyed through the great chasm, I 
at length arrived at a place where I stopped ; and imme- 
diately there appeared to me spirits from above, with 
whom I was permitted to discourse. From their discourse 
and their particular manner of apprehending and ex- 
plaining things, I clearly perceived that they were from 
another earth; for they differed altogether from the 
spirits of our solar system. They also perceived from my 
discourse that I came from afar. 

130. After discoursing for some time on various sub- 
jects, I asked what God tVift^ ^qt^y^^^^, ^Vk^ '^sJnS^ 
that they worshipped some Wi^e\, \«Vq ^'^^^x^^^^'^'*^^ 



90 OF THE EARTHS IN THE TJNIVEESE. 



as a divine man. being bright and shining with light ; 
and that he instructed them, and gave them to perceive 
what they ought to do. They said further, that they 
knew the Most High God is in the sun of the angelio 
heaven, and that He appears to His angel, and not to 
them ; and that lie is too great for them to dare to adore 
Him. The angel whom they worshipped was an angelic 
society, to which it was granted by the Lord to preside 
over them, and to teach them the way of what is just and 
right ; therefore they have light from a kind of flame^ 
which appears like a torch, fiery and yellow to a con- 
siderable degree. The reason is, because they do not* 
adore the I^ord, consequently they have not light from 
the sun of the angelic heaven, but from an angelio 
society ; for an angelic society, when it is granted by the 
Lord, can exhibit such a light to spirits who aro in an 
inferior region. That angelic society was also seen by 
me, and was on high above them ; there was also seen 
the flaming appearance whence the light proceeded. 

131. As to the rest of their character, they were 
modest, somewhat simple, but still under tolerably good 
influence as to their thoughts. From the light which 
was amongst them might be concluded what was the 
quality of their intellect ; for the intellect is according 
J^ the reception of the light which is in the heavens, 
inasmuch an Divine Truth, proceeding from the Lord aa 
^ 8UI1, is what shines there, and enables the angela not 
only to see but also to understand."™ 

132. I was instructed that the inhabitants and spirits 
of that earth, in the Grand Man, have relation to some- 

i«ol ^f-t there is ereat lijrbt in the heavens, n. 1117, 1621, 1622, 

ia A«^^®~1832, 4527. 5100, 86 14. That all light in the heavens 

ins J?.i^o Lord as a Pun there, n. 1053, 1521, 8195. 3341, 3686. 

l^rri vr*^' ®^8l, 10.809. That Divine Truth proceeding from the 

9890 a-%®^^ in the heavens as Ught, n. 3195, 3222, 6400, 8844. 

tbe «„3r®' ®684. That that light illuminates both the sight and 

^be z£5,1®^i*andinCT ot angels and spirits, n. 2776. 8188. That 

i4BB ;/? ^oaveialBO illuminates the unaieTfttosi^mft «A mwa. 



OF A FIRST EAUTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 91 

wliat in the spliin, in which I was confirmed by an influx 
into the spleen whilst they were discoursing with me. 

133. Being questioned concerning the sun of their 
system, which enlightens their earth, they said that the 
sun there has a flaming appearance, and when I repre- 
sented the size of the sun of our earth, they said that 
theirs was less ; for their sun to our eyes is a star, and I 
was told by the angels that it was one of the lesser stars. 
They said also, that firom their earth is likewise seen the 
starry heaven, and that a star larger than the rest appears 
to them westward, which was declared from heaven to be 
our sun. 

134. After this my sight was opened, so that I could 
look in some degree upon their earth ; and there apnllared 
several green fields and forests with trees in full K>liage, 
and also fleecy sheep. Afterwards I saw some of the in- 
habitants, who were of the meaner class, clothed nearly 
like the country-people in Europe. There was seen also 
a man with his wife. She appeared of handsome stature 
and a graceful mien ; so likewise did the man ; but what 
surprised me, he had a stately carriage, and a deportment 
which had a semblance of haughtiness, but the woman's 
deportment was humble. I was informed by the angels 
that such is the fashion on that earth, and that the men, 
who are such, are beloved, because they are nevertheless 
well disposed. I was informed likewise, that it is not 
allowed them to have more wives than one, because it is 
contrary to the laws. The woman whom I saw had 
before her bosom a cloak or covering, broad enough to 
conceal herself behind it, which was so contrived, that 
she eonld put her arms in it, and use it as a garment to 
cover her, and so Walk about her business. It might be 
tucked up as to the lower part, and when tucked up, and 
applieil to the body, it appeared like a stomacher, such as 
are worn by the women of our earth ; but the same also 
served the man for a covering, and he wa& «ftftw\ft VaSijsi'^^. 
from the woman, and apply it \.o "Vi\a>o«t<^, «iAVi^'ws^'Cisi»k 

lower part, which thus ftoYr^d do^xi \^ >d^» \^«!XX^^ ' 



92 ON THE EAETHS IN THE UNIVKESE. 

gowDi and clothed in this manner he walked off. The 
things seen on that earth were not seen with the eyes of 
my body, but with the eyes of my spirit ; for a spirit may 
see the things which are on any earth, when it is granted 
by the Lord. 

186. Being well aware that many will doubt the possi- 
bility of man's being able to see, with the eyes of his 
spirit, anything on so distant an earth, it may be expe- 
dient to declare how the matter is. Distances in the 
other life are not like distances here on earth. In the 
other life they are altogether according to the states of 
the interiors of every one. They who are in a similar 
state are together in one society and in one place; 
every thing is present from a similitude of state, and 
every thing is distant from a dissimilitude of state; 
hence it was that I was near to the above earth when I 
was brought by the Lord into a state similar to the state 
of the spirits and inhabitants thereof, and that in this 
case being present I discoursed with them. 

Hence it is evideot, that earths in the spiritual world 
are not distant as in the natural world, but only ap- 
parently according to the states of life of the inhabitants 
and spirits of each. The state of life is the state of the 
affections as to love and faith. In regard to a spirit, or 
what is the same thing, a man as to his spirit, seeing 
things on any earth, we shall also explain how this 
is. Neither spirits nor angels by their own sight can 
see anything that is in the natural world ; for the light 
of the natural world, or the solur light, is to them as 
deuRO darkness. In like manner man by his bodily sight 
cannot see anything that is in the other life ; for the light 
of heaven is to him as dense darkness. Nevertheless, 
both spirits, and angels, when it pleases the Lord, may 
see things in the natural world through the eyes of man ; 
but this is not granted by the Lord except with those 
whom He permits to discourse with spirits and angels, 
and to be in consort with them. It Vi«A been allowed 
^Jhem to Boe throngh my eyes the \iiQ\ii^% ^^ ^^li^ '^otV^, 



OF A FIEST EARTH IN THE 8TAERY HEAVEN. 93 



and as plainly as I myself did ; and also to hear men 
diricoursing with me. Sometimes it has happened that 
through me they saw their friends, with whom they had 
been intimate when in the body, altogether present as 
before, at which they were amazed. Wives have in this 
manner seen their husbands and children, and have 
wiHhed me to tell them that they were present and 
looking on them, and that I would mention the par- 
ticulars of their state in the other life ; but this, I said, 
was not allowed, by reason that they would have called 
me mad, or would have pronounced my information to be 
all a delirium of the imagination, inasmuch as I was well 
aware that, although they gave assent with their lips to 
the doctrine of the existence of spirits, and of the resur- 
rection of the dead, and of their being amongst spirits, 
and that spirits can see and hear by means of man, yet 
they did not believe these things in their hearts. 

When my interior sight was first opened, and they 
who are in the other life saw through my eyes the world 
and the things contained therein, they were so amazed 
that they called it the miracle of miracles, and were 
affected with a new joy, to think that a communication 
was thus opened of earth with heaven, and of heaven with 
earth. This Joy continued for some months, but after- 
wards the circumstance which occasioned it became so 
familiar that now the wonder has ceased. I am informed 
that spirits and angels attendant on other men see not 
the least of the things of this world, but only perceive 
the thoughts and affections of those on whom they attend. 
Hence it may appear, that man was so created, that 
during his life here amongst men in the world, he might 
at the same time live in heaven amongst angels, and 
contrariwise, so that heaven and the world might be 
united together and act in unity in man, and men might 
know what passes in heaven, and angels what passes in 
the world ; and that when men depart this life, they 
might pass thus from the Lord'% Vvci^^^^xsi q\:l**^^ ^viev^Ci^ 
into the Lord*B kingdom Vu Wit \vtw«c», -asaN* ^ "^^ 



94 OK THE EARTHS USt THE UKlVEltSE. . 

another, but as into the same, in which also they were 
during their life in the body; but in consequence of 
becoming so corporeal, man closed heaven against him- 
self. 

136. Lastly, I discoursed with the spirits who were 
from the above earth concerning various particulars on 
our earth, especially concerning this circumstance, that 
there arc sciences cultivated on our earth which are not 
cultivated on other earths, as astronomy, geometry, me- 
chanics, physics, chemistry, medicine, optics, and natural 
philosophy ; and likewise arts,' which are not known else- 
where, as the art of ship-building, of smelting metals, of 
writing, and of printing, and thus of communicating 
with others in distant parts of the earth, and also of pre- 
serving what is communicated for thouttands of years, 
and that this art has been practised in regard to the 
Word which was revealed by the Lord, and that con- 
sequently revelation is for ever permanent on our 
earth. 

137. At length there was presented to my view the 
hell of those who are from that earth, and very terrible 
was the appearance of the infernals seen therein, inso- 
much that 1 dare not describe their monstrous faces. 
There were seen also female magicians, who practised 
direful arts. They appeared clad in green, and struck 
me with horror. 



Of a Second Eakth in thb Starrt Hravbk, its 
Spirits and Inhabitants. 

138. I WAS afterwards led of the Lord to an earth in 
the universe which was further distant from our earth 
than the foregoing of which we have been just speaking. 
That it was further distant was plain from this circum- 
stance^ that I was two days in being led thither as to my 
/!p/rji. This earth was to the left, 'wViet^aa the former 
rnuf to the li^bt Inwmuch as remolene«& m \\ie v^VdVoisX 



6^ A SECONt) EAKTH m TfilS STAHRY HEAYEN. 95 

world does not arise from distance of place, but from 
difference of state, as was said before, therefore from the 
tediousness of my progression thither, which lasted two 
days, I might conclude that the state of the interiors 
with the inhabitants of that earth, which is the state of 
the affections and thence of the thoughts, differed propor- 
tionably from the state of the interiors with spirits from 
our earth. Being conveyed thither as to the spirit by 
changes of the state of the interiors, I was enabled to 
observe the successive changes themselves before I arrived 
thither. This was done whilst I was awake. 

139. When I arrived thither, the earth was not seen 
by me, but only the spirits who were from that earth ; 
for, as was said above, the spirits of every earth appear 
about their own particular earth, by reason that they are 
of a genius and temper similar to that of the inhabitants, 
and in order that they may serve them. Those spirits 
were seen at a considerable height above my head, whence 
they beheld me as I approached. It is to be observed 
that they who stand on high in the other life can behold 
those who are beneath them, and the higher they stand 
the greater is the extent of their vision ; and they can not 
only behold those who are beneath them, but likewise 
discourse with them. From their state of elevation they 
observed that I was not from their earth, but from some 
other at a greater distance ; wherefore they accosted me 
in questions concerning various particulars, to which it 
was given me to reply ; and amongst other things I re- 
lated to them to what earth I belonged, and what kind 
of earth it was. Afterwards I spake to them concerning 
the other earths in our solar system; and at the same 
time also concerning the spirits of the earth or planet 
Mercury, that they wander about to several earths for 
the purpose of procuring for themselves knowledges of 
various matters. On hearing this, they said that they 
had likewise seen those spirits amongst them. 

140. It was told me by tho ttngQ\% it^xa. wa ^"asJ^^^itts^* 
the iababitantB and spirits of V\ia^ ^^tW, va ^^Js^a ^^^^^ 



96 OK THE EARTHS IN THE TJIOVERSE. 

Man, have relation to krbkkess of vision, and therefore 
they appear on high ; and that they are also remarkably 
clear* sighted. In consequence of their having such rela* 
tion, and of their seeing clearly and distinctly what was 
beneath them, in discoursing with them I compared 
them to eagles, which fly aloft, and enjoy a clear and 
extensive view of objects beneath. At this they ex- 
pressed indignation, supposing that I compared them to 
eagles as to their rapaciousness, and consequently that I 
thought them wicked ; but I replied, that I did not liken 
them to eagles as to rapaciousness, but as to keenness 
of vision. 

141. Being questioned concerning the Gk>d whom they 
worshipped, they replied that they worshipped a God 
visible and invisible, a God visible under a human form, 
and a God invisible not under any form ; and it was dis- 
coverable from their discourse, and also from the ideas 
of their thought as communicated to me, that the visible 
God was our Lord himself, and they also called Him Lord. 
To this I was permitted to reply, that on our earth also 
there is worshipped a God invisible and visible ; that the 
invisible God is called Father, and the visible is called 
Lord ; and that both are One, as He himself taught, say- 
ing that no one had ever seen the appearance of the 
Father, but that the Father and He are One, and that 
whoso Reeth Him seeth the Father, and that the Father 
is in Him fCtid He in the Father; consequently, that 
each divine is that which is in One Person. That these 
are the Lord*s own words, may. be seen, John v. 87 ; 
chap. X. 30 ; chap. xiv. 7, 9, 10, 11. 

142. Presently I saw other spirits from the same 
earth, who appeared in a place beneath the former, with 
whom also I discoursed ; but they were idolators, for they 
worshipped an idol of stone, like to a man, but not 
handsome. It is to be observed, that all who come into 
the other life have at first a worship like what they prac- 

tlsed in the world, but that they axe Bwct<iea%vjelY sepa- 
J^^ed /horn it The reason is, becauBO a\\ \f w^\iv^ x«t&MCD% 



OF A SEOOND EAETH IN THE STABET HEAVEN. 97 

implanted in a man's interior life, from which it cannot 
be removed and eradicated bnt by degreeli. On seeing 
this, I was permitted to tell them that they ought not to 
worship what was dead, but what was living ; to which 
they replied that they knew that God lives and not a 
stone, but that they thought of the living God when they 
looked on a stone like a man, and that otherwise the 
ideas of their thought could not be fixed upon and de- 
termined to the invisible God. It was then granted me 
to tell them, that the ideas of thought may be fixed upon 
and determined to the invisible God, when they are fixed 
upon and determined to the Lord, who is God visible in 
thought under a human form ; and thus that man may 
be joined with the invisible God in thought and afifec- 
tion, consequently in faith and love, when he is joined 
with the Lord, but not otherwise. 

148. The spirits who were seen on high were ques- 
tioned, whether on their earth they live under the rule 
of princes or kings ; to which they replied, that they know 
not what such rule is, and that they live under them- 
selves, being distinguished into nations, families, and 
houses. They were questioned further, whether they are 
thus in a state of security. They replied in the affirma- 
tive, inasmuch as one family never envies another in any 
respect, or desires to deprive another of its just rights. 
They expressed a degree of indignation at being asked 
these questions, as implying a suspicion of their hostility, 
or of their want of protection against robbers. What, 
said they, have we need of but food and raiment, and thus 
to live content and quiet amongst ourselves 1 

144. Being further questioned concerning their earth 
and its produce, they said that they had green fields, 
flower-gardens, forests full of fruit trees, and also lakes 
abounding with fish ; and that they had birds of a blue 
colour, with golden feathers, and sdso greater and lesser 
animals. Amongst the lesser, they mentioned one sort 
which had the back elevated like camels on our earth ; 
nevGrtheleBB, that they did nol tee^ oil ^i^!LWt ^^"^^^s^ 



98 ON THE EARTHS IN THE TJNIVEESB. 

only on the flesh of fishes, and^besides on fruits of trees 
and pulse of the earth. They said, moreover, that they 
did not live in houses regularly built, but in groves, in 
:which amongst the leaves they made to themselves shelter 
against rain and the heat of the sun. 

145. Being questioned concerning their sun, which 
appears as a star from our earth, they said that it has a 
fiery appearance, and not larger to look at than a man*s 
head. I was told by the angels, that the star which was 
their sun was amongst the lesser stars, not far distant 
from the equator of the sky. 

146. There were seen some spirits who were like what 
they had been during their abode on their earth as men. 
They had faces not unlike those of the men of our earth, 
except that their eyes and noses were less. This appear- 
ing to me somewhat of deformity, they said that small 
eyes and a small nose were accounted marks of beauty 
with them. A female was seen clad in a gown orna- 
mented with roses of various colours. I asked whence they 
were supplied with materials for clothing on their earth. 
They answered that they gathered from certain plants 
a substance which they spun into thread ; and that im- 
mediately afterwards they laid the threads in double and 
triple rows, moistening them with a glutinous liquor, 
and thus giving them consistence. Afterirards they 
colour the cloth thus prepared with a substance procured 
from the juices of herbs. It was also shewn me how they 
prepare the thread. The women sit down on the ground, 
and wind it by means* of their toes ; and when wound 
they draw it towards them, and with the hand spin it out 
to any fineness they please. 

147. They said also, that on that earth every husband 
has no more than one wife; and that the number of 
children in a family is from ten to fifteen. They added, 
that there are found likewise harlots amongst them ; but 
^^tall Buch, after the Ufe of the body, when they become 

spirits, arc female magicians, and ate ca&l va.to hell. 



OF A THIED EAETH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 99 

■ ■' ■ ' » 

Of a Thibd Earth in the Stabry Hbaybn, its 
Spirits and Inhabitants. 

148. Thebb appeared some spirits from afar who were 
not willing to approach. The reason was, because they 
could not be together with the spirits of our earth who 
were then about me. Hence I perceived that they were 
from another earth ; and I was afterwards informed that 
they were from a certain earth in the universe ; but where 
that earth is, was -not made known to me. Those spirits 
were unwilliug to think at all about the body, or even 
about anything corporeal and material, contrary to the 
spirits of our earth ; hence it was that tiiey were not will- 
ing to approach ; nevertheless after the removal of some 
of the spirits of our earth, they came nearer and dis- 
coursed with me. But instantly there was felt an anxiety 
arising from the collision of spheres ; for spiritual spheres 
encompass all spirits and societies of spirits ; and inas- 
much as they issue from the life of the affections and 
consequent thoughts, therefore where the affections are 
contrary, collision takes place, and hence comes anxiety. 
The spirits of our earth related, that they even durst not 
approach those other spirits; since on their approach, 
they were not only seized with anxiety, but also appeared 
to themselves as if they were bound hand and foot with 
serpents, from which they could not be loosed but by re- 
tiring. This appearance had its ground in correspond- 
ence ; for the spirits of our earth, in the Grand Man, 
have relation to the external sense, consequently to the 
corporeal sensual, and this sensual is represented in 
the other life by serpents." 

149. Such being the quality of the spirits of thai 
earth, they appear in the eyes of other spirits, not aa 

" That the external Bensoal of man in the spiiitaal world is 
represented by serpents as being in things lowest, and in 
respect to interior things in man, lying on the ground, and as it 
wero creeping; and that hence fhoy >N©\<i vi^-<i\ ^w\^sciigi»^-"^CviSi 
reasoned Xfom that sensual pott, n., \ii^— V« ><?a8fe^«^>^' 



100 ON THE EABTHS m THE UmVEESK 

others, in a distinct human form, bat as a cloud, in 
many cases like a dusky cloud, with whitish tints, re- 
sembling somewhat human ; but they said, that within 
they are white, and that when they become angels, that 
duskiness is changed into a beautiful blue, which was 
also shown me. I asked whether tbey entertained such 
an idea concerning their bodies during their abode in 
the world as men. They replied, that the men of their 
earth make no account of their bodies, but only of the 
spirit in the body, as knowing that the spirit will live 
for ever, but that the body must perish. They said also, 
that several on their earth believe that the spirit of the 
body has existed *from eternity, and was infused into the 
body when they were conceived in the womb ; but they 
added, that now they know that it is not so, and that 
they are grieved for having even entertained so false an 
opinion* 

150. When I asked them whether they were willing 
to see any objects on our earth, informing them that it 
was possible to do so through my eyes, see above, n. 135, 
they answered first that they could not, and afterwards 
that they would not, inasmuch as they were merely ter- 
restrial and material objects, from which they remove 
their thoughts as far as possible. Nevertheless, there 
were represented to their view magnificent palaces, re- 
sembling those in which kings and princes dwell on our 
earth ; for such things may be represented before spirits, 
and when they are represented they appear exactly as if 
they existed. But the spirits from that earth made light of 
them, calling them marble images ; and then related that 
they have more magnificent objects with them, which are 
their sacred temples, not built of stone, but of wood. 
When it was objected that thesis were still terrestrial ob- 
jects, they replied that they were not terrestrial, but 
celestial, because in beholdiog them they conceived not a 
4eiTeBiAal but a eelestial idea , believing that they Bboukl 

//^e ohJectB in heaven after death. 

^ Then they represented th^iz ea««^\iRSB:^\^\)K&aft 



h^^ 



OF A THIRD EAUTH m THE STARRY HEAVEN. 101 

the spirits of our earth, who declared that they never 
saw anything more magnificent ; and as they were seen 
also by myself, therefore I can describe them. They are 
constructed of trees not cut down, but growing in the 
place where they were first planted. On that earth, it 
seems, there are trees of an extraordinary size and height; 
these they set in rows when young, and arrange them 
in such order that they may serve as they grow np to 
form porticos and galleries. In the mean while, by 
cutting and pruning the tender shoots, they fit and pre- 
pare them to entwine one with another, and join together 
8.0 as to form the ground-work and floor of the temple 
to be constructed, and by a side elevation to serve as 
walls, and, being bended into an arch above, to make 
the roof. In this manner they construct the temple with 
admirable art, elevating it high above the ground. They 
prepare also an ascent into it, by continuous branches of 
the trees extended from the trunk, and firmly connected 
together. Moreover, they adorn the temple without and 
within in various ways, by disposing the leaves into 
particular forms : thus they build entire groves. But it 
was not permitted me to see the nature of the construc- 
tion of these temples within, only I was informed that 
the light of their sun is let in by apertures amongst the 
branches, and is everywhere transmitted through crys- 
tals ; whereby the light falling on the walls is refracted 
in divers colours like those of the rainbow, particularly 
the colours of blue and orange, which they are most fond 
of. Such [is the nature of their architectural works 
which they prefer to the most magnificent palaces of 
our earth. 

162. They said further, that the inhabitants do not 
dwell in high places, but on the earth in low cottages, 
by reason that high places are for the Lord who is in 
heaven, and low places for men who are on earth. Their 
cottages were also shewn me : they were oblong, having 
within aloiig the walla a coiAYKafc^ wsw.^ ^'^ \5fe^ ^s^ i 
which they lie one next to &aoi^i«c. ^iSL>3aa ^^'^ ^s^^'a^jdi^ 



102 ON THE EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. 

I II . ^^m I I . -* 

to the door was a kind of alcove, before which was a 
table, and behind it a fire-place, by which the whole 
chamber is enlightened. In the fire-place there is not a 
burning fire, but a luminous wood, from which issues as 
much light as from the flame of a common fire. They 
said that in an evening this wood appeared as if it con- 
tained in it lighted charcoal. 

163. They informed me further, that they do not 
live in societies, but in houses apart by themselves : that 
they are joined in societies when they meet at divine 
worship; and that on these occasions they who are 
teachers walk beneath in the temple, and the rest in 
piazzas at the sides ; and that at their meetings they ex- 
perience interior joys, arising from the sight of the 
temple, and from the worship therein celebrated. 

154. In respect to divine worship, they said that they 
acknowledge God under a Human form, consequently 
our Lord ; for all who acknowledge the God of the uni- 
verse under a Human form are accepted and led by our 
Lord. The rest cannot be so led, because they think 
without a determination of the thought to some specific 
appearance. They added, that the inhabitants of their 
earth are instructed concerning the things of heaven by 
some immediate commerce with angels and spirits, which 
may be more easily opened to them than to others, by 
reason of their rejecting corporeal things from their 
thought and affection. I asked what became of those 
amongst them who are wicked. They replied that on 
their earth it was not allowed that a wicked person should 
exist ; but if any one gave in to evil thoughts or evil 
actions, he was reprimanded by a certain spirit, and 
threatened with death if he persisted therein ; and in 
case he still persisted, he was taken off by a swoon ; and 
that by this means the men of that earth are preserved 
from the contagion of evils. A certain spirit of this kind 
tras Bent to me. He spake with me as with them ; more- 
orer, be occasioned somewhat oi pam in \Xift x^^vi^ of 
sifdomen, informing me that t\ii& 'w^ t\iA TSi^\k<;A 



OF A THIRD EARTH m THE STARRY HEAVEN. 103 

he uses with those who think and act wickedly, and 
to whom he threatens death if they persist. I was 
given to understand that they who profane holy things 
are grievously punished ; and that before the punishing 
spirit comes, there appear to them in vision the jaws of 
a lion, wide open, of a livid colour, who seems as if he 
would swallow their head, and tear it asunder from the 
body, and hence they are seized with horror. They call 
the,punishing spirit the devil. 

155. Inasmuch as they were desirous to know how we 
are circumstanced on our earth in regard to revelation, I 
informed them that it is effected by writing and preach- 
ing from the Word, and not by immediate commerce with 
spirits and angels, and that what is written may be 
printed and published, and thus be read and compre- 
hended by whole societies, whereby the life may be 
amended. They were exceedingly surprised that such 
an art as writing and printing, utterly unknown in 
other places, could exist on our earth ; but they com- 
prehended that on this earth, where corporeal and terres- 
trial t^hings are so much loved, divine things from heaven 
could not otherwise flow in and be received ; and that it 
would be dangerous for persons in such circumstances to 
discourse with angels. 

166. The spirits of that earth appear upwards in the 
plane of the head towards the right. All spirits are dis- 
tinguished by their situation in respect to the human 
body, which is in consequence of the universal heaven 
corresponding with all things of man. These spirits keep 
themselves in that plane, and at that distance, because 
their correspondence is not with the externals with man, 
but with the interiors. Their action is upon the left knee, 
a little above and beneath, with a kind of vibration very 
sensibly felt. This is a sign that they correspond with 

THE OONJUNOTION OF THINQS NATURAL AND THINQS OELSS- 
TIAL. 



104 ON TfflS EARTflS IK THE "UNIVERSE. 

OV A FOUBTH EaBTH IN THB StABBY HeAYEN, ITS 

Spibits and Inhabitants. 

157. I WAS farther conducted to another earth which 
is in the nniverse, out of onr solar system, which was 
effected by changes of the state of my mind, consequently 
as to the spirit; for, as has been frequently observed 
aboye, a spirit is conducted from place to place no other- 
wise than by changes of the state of his interiors, which 
changes appear to him in all respects like advancements 
from place to place, or like joumeyings. These changes 
continued without intermission for about ten hours, be- 
fore I came from the state of my own life to the state of 
life peculiar to the spirits of that earth, consequently, 
before I arrived there as to my spirit. I was carried to- 
wards the east, to the left, and seemed to be gradually 
elevated from an horizontal plane. I was also enabled to 
observe clearly a progression and promotion from a former 
place, till at length the spirits from whom I departed no 
longer appeared ; and in the mean time I discoursed on 
various subjects with the spirits who were with me. A 
certain spirit was also with us who, during his abode in 
the world, had been a prelate, and a preacher, and like- 
wise a very pathetic writer. From the idea concerning 
him in me, the attendant spirits supposed that he was a 
Christian in heart superior to the rest ; for in the world 
an idea is conceived, and judgment formed from preach- 
ing and writing, and not from the life, if it is not at- ^ 
tended with some extraordinary circumstances; and in 
case anything in the life appears which does not agree 
with the preaching and writing, it is nevertheless ex- 
cused ; for the idea or thought and perception concerning 
any particular person, gives a bias to the judgment in all 
things, inclining it in favour of such idea, thought, and 
j>erception. 
^ J^S, After tbiB I observed that I was in the starry 
|to|J^ OB to mj spirit, far ont of onx bo\«x «^i^\AiGL\im 
^^■"V be obBerved from, the changea ol «\aXA) wl^ cwar 



OP A FOTTBTH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 105 

sequent apparent continued progression, which lasted 
nearly ten hours. At length I heard spirits discoursing 
near some earth, which was afterwards also seen by me. 
When I was come near them, after some discourse to- 
gether, they said that strangers sometimes come to them 
from a distance who discourse with them concerning God, 
and confuse the ideas of their thought. They pointed also 
at the way by which such strangers came, whereby it was 
perceivable that they were from the spirits of our earth. 
On questioning them as to the confusion caused in their 
ideas, they said that it arose from those strangers assert- 
ing that they ought to believe on a Divine Being dis- 
tinguished into three persons, which they nevertheless 
call one God; and on examining the idea of their 
thoughts, it is presented as a Trinity, not continuous, but 
discrete, with some as tliree persons discoursing with 
each other, and with some as two seated together, one 
near the other, and a third hearkening to them, and 
going from them ; and although they call each person 
God, and form a different idea concerning each, still they 
declare them but one God. They complaitied exceedingly, 
that hereby their ideas were confused, in that these 
strangers conceived three in thought, and in speech pro- 
fess one, when nevertheless thought and speech ought 
ever to be in agreement with each other. 

The spirit, who in the world had been a prelate and a 
preacher, and who also was with me, was then examined 
as to the idea he entertained respecting one God and 
three persons, when it was discovered that he represented 
to himself three gods, but making one by continuity. He 
conceived, however, this threefold unity as invisible 
because it was divine ; and from this conception it was 
perceivable that he thought only of the Father, and 
not of the Lord, and that his idea concerning the in- 
visible God was no other than as of nature in her first 
forms, the result of which idea was, that the inmost 
of nature was his Divine Bem^, «cA ^^ssiSi ^iM&»^^a>. 
might easily be hence led to «k<toi'5s^\'^^^<8k\sa^5a^ 



106 ON THE EARTHS IN THE TJNiVeESE. 

It is well to be observed; that the idea which any person 
entertains concerning any thing is in another world pre- 
sented to the life, and thereby every one is examined as 
to the nature of his thought and perception respecting 
the things of faith ; and that the idea of the thought 
concerning God is the chief of all others, inasmuch as by 
that idea, if it be genuine, conjunction is effected with the 
Divine Being, and consequently with heaven. They were 
afterwards questioned concerning the nature of their idea 
respecting God. They replied that they did not con- 
ceive God as invisible, but as visible under a Human 
form ; and that they knew Him to be thus visible, not 
only from an interior perception, but also from this 
circumstance, that He has appeared to them as a man. 
They added that if, according to the idea of some 
strangers, they should conceive God as invisible, conse- 
quently without form and quality, they should not be 
able in anywise to think about God, inasmuch as such 
an invisible falls not upon any idea of thought.^ 

On hearing this, it was granted me to tell them that 
they do well to think of God under a Human form, and 
that many on our earth think in like manner, especially 
when they think of the Lord; and that the ancients 
also thought according to this idea. I then told them 
concerning Abraham, Lot, Gideon, Manoah, and his wife, 
and what is related of them in our Word, viz., that they 
saw God under a Human form, and acknowledged Him 
thus seen to be the Creator of the universe, and called 
Him Jehovah, and this also from an interior perception ; 
but that at this day that interior perception was lost in 
the Christian world,, and only remains with the simple 
who are in faith. 

159. Previous to this discourse, they believed that our 
company also consisted of those who are desirous to con- 
fuse them in their thoughts of God by an idea of three ; 
wAerefore on bearing iwh&t was said they were affected 
^ithjojr, and replied that there were alao Bft\i\.itom Qiq^^, 
fTMoja they then called the Lord, tliOBQ v\io \A«iiOa. \Saffiia. 



OF A F0T7ETH EARTH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 107 

concerning Him ; and that they are not willing to admit 
strangers, who perplex them, especially by the idea of 
three persons in the Divinity, inasmuch as they know 
that God is One, consequently that the Divine Being is 
One, and not consisting of three in unanimity, unless 
such threefold unanimity be conceived to exist in God as 
an angel, in whom there is an inmost of life, which is 
invisible, and which is the ground of his thought and 
wisdom, and an external of life, which is visible under a 
human form, whereby he sees and acts, and a proceeding 
of life, which is the sphere of love and of faith issuing 
from him, for from every spirit and angel there proceeds 
a sphere of life whereby he is known at a distance f^ 
which proceeding of life, when considered as issuing from 
the Lord, is the essential Divine which fills and consti- 
tutes the heavens, because it proceeds from the very Esse 
of the life of love and of faith. They said that in this, 
and in no other manner, they can perceive and appre- 
hend a threefold unity. 

When they had thus expressed themselves, I was per- 
mitted to inform them that such an idea concerning a 
threefold unity agrees with the idea of the angels con- 
cerning the Lord, and that it is grounded in the Lord's 
own doctrine respecting Himself; for He teaches 
that the Father and Himself are One; that the 
Father is in Him and He in the Father ; that whoso 
seeth Him seeth the Father ; and whoso believeth on Him 
believeth on the Father and knoweth the Father, also 
that the Comforter, Whom He calls the Spirit of Truth, 
and likewise the Holy Ghost, proceeds from Him, and 
doth not speak from Himself, but from Him, by which 
Comforter is meant the Divine Proceeding. I was further 
permitted to tell them that their idea concerning a three- 
fold unity agrees with the Being and Existing of the life of 
the Lord when in the world : the Being of His life was the 
Essential Divine, for he was conceived of Jehovah, and 
the being of every one's Aife \& ^Xi-aX* ^\!kKt^<2kl\!kASa^ ^'^j^- 
ceired ; the Existing of \\!e dwiN^^ltwsiSJoa^^iWss^^^ 



08 ON THS EABTHS IN THE UNIVEKSE. 

riamanity in form ; the being of the life of eyery msa, 
which he has from his father, is called soul, and the 
existing of life thence derived is called body. 

Soul and body constitute one man. The likeness bd^ 
tween them resembles that which subsists between that 
which is in effort, and that which is in act derived from 
effort, for act is an effort acting, and thus two are one. 
Effort in man is called will, and effort acting is called 
action ; the body is the instrumental part, whereby the 
will, which is the principal, acts, and the instrumental 
and principal in acting are one. Such is the case in 
regard to soul and body, and such is the idea which the 
angels in heaven have respecting soul and body : hence 
they know that the Lord made His Humanity Divine by 
virtue of the Divine in Himself, which was to Him a 
Soul from the Father. This is agreeable also to the 
creed received throughout the Christian world, which 
teaches, that " Although Christ is Ood and Man, yet He 
is not two hut one Christ ; yea, He is altogether One and 
a single Person ; for as body and sovl are one many so 
also Ood and man are one Christ.'**^^ Inasmuch as 
there was such a union or such a oneness in the Lord, 
therefore He rose again, not only as to Soul, but 
also as to Body, differently from any man ; concerning 
which circumstance He also instructed His disciples in 
these words, '* Handle Me and see, for a spirit hoik not 
flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.**" Those spirits 
understood clearly this discourse, such things being 
suited to the understanding of angelic spirits. They in- 
stantly added, that the Lord alone has power in the 
heavens, and that the heavens are His ; to which it was 
granted me to reply, that this is known also to the 

yy From the Athanasian Creed. 

" That immodiately after death man rises again as to his 

spirit ; and that he is in a hnman form, and that ne is a man in 

an and every respect, n. 4527, 6006, 6078, 8939, 8991, 10,691, 10,607, 

20,Z68. That a man. riaea again only as to epvd\>, on^X-TiQit «a to 

'"^ 21. IO,S0S. ^0,694. That the Lord aXoue xoao «.g«Mi «& \i 

ymlto, n. ITSB, 2088, 6/078, 10,826. 



OF A FO¥BTH EARTH IN THE STABRY HEAVEN. 109 



Church on our earth from the Lord's declaration before 
He ascended into heayen ; for He then said, " All power 
is given to me in heaven and in earth" 

160. Afterwards I discoursed with those spirits con- 
cerning their earth ; for all spirits have knowledge of the 
things relating to the earth they came from, when their 
natural or external memory is opened by the Lord ; in- 
asmuch as this memory remains with them after death, 
but is not opened except at the Lord's good pleasure. 
Then they related concerning their earth from which 
they came, that when it is allowed them, they appear to 
the inhabitants, and discourse with them as men ; and 
that this is effected by their being let into their natural 
or external memory, and consequently into the thought 
which they had during their abode in the world ; and 
that on sach occasions the inhabitants hare their interior 
sight, or sight of their spirits, opened, whereby they are 
seen. They added, that the inhabitants at such times 
know no other than that they are men of their earth, 
and that they then first perceive them not to be 
men when they are suddenly taken away from their 
sight. 

I told them that this was the case also on our earth in 
ancient times, as when angels appeared to Abraham, 
Sarah, Lot, the inhabitants of Sodom, Manoah and his 
wife, Joshua, Mary, Elizabeth, and the prophets in 
general; and that the Lord appeared in like manner, 
and they who saw Him knew no other than that He was 
a man of the earth before He revealed Himself: but 
that at this day such appearances are seldom exhibited ; 
the reason whereof is, lest men by such things should be 
compelled^ to believe; for faith wrought by compulsion, 
such as is the &ith which enters by miracles, is not in- 
herent, and would also be hurtful to those in whom faith 
may be implanted by the Word in a state without com- 
pulsion. 

161. The spirit, who had been a prelate and a preacher 
in the world, wa^ allogeUitt m*^'^^^^ V^ \if^^£2v^'<^()s^ 



110 ON THE EABTHS IN THE UNIVBBSE. 

any other earths existed besides our own, in conseqaenoe 
of having thought in the world that the Lord was bom 
on this earth alone, and that none could be saved with- 
out the Lord; wherefore he was reduced into a state 
similar to that which spirits are reduced into when they 
appear on their own earth as men, concerning which state 
see above : and thus he was let into that earth, so that he 
not only saw it, but also discoursed with its inhabitants. 
Hereupon a communication was also thereby granted 
me, so that I in like manner saw the inhabitants, and 
likewise some particular things on that earth. See above, 
n. 135. There appeared then four kinds of men, but one 
kind after the other in succession: at first there were 
seen men clothed ; next to them, in order of succession 
men niiked, of a human flesh colour ; afterwards, men 
naked, but with inflamed bodies ; and lastly, black 
men. 

162. Whilst the spirit who had been a prelate and 
preacher was with those who were clothed, there appeared 
a woman of a very beautiful countenance, in a plain 
simple dress ; her gown flowing gracefully behind her, 
with sleeves also for the arms ; her head-dress was beauti- 
ful, in the form of a chaplet of flowers. That spirit was 
exceedingly delighted at the sight of this viigin; he dis- 
coursed with her, and also took her by the hand ; but in- 
asmuch as she perceived that he was a spirit, and not of 
that earth, she rushed hastily away from him. Afterwards 
there appeared to him on the right several other women, 
who had the care of sheep and lambs, which at that time 
they were leading to a watering trough, which was sup- 
plied with water by a small drain from a certain lake. 
These women were clothed in like manner with the for- 
mer : they had in their hands shepherds' crooks, by which 
they led the sheep and lambs to drink. They said that 
which way soever they pointed with their crooks, thither 
the Bheep went : the sheep which we saw were large, with 
broad woolly- tnila. The faces of the Yromen» when 
riewed cloBoly, were ML and haAdaQiUQ* T)aftw^^^s««^ 



OF A FOUBTH EABTH IN THE STABBY HEAVEN. Ill 

also men : their complexion was like that of the men of 
our earth, but with this difference, that the lower part of 
the face was black instead of a beard, and the nose was 
more of a snowy white than a flesh colour. 

Afterwards the spirit who, as was said, had been a 
preacher in the world, was led on farther, bat reluc- 
tantly, because his thoughts were still engaged about the 
woman with whom he was delighted, as was evident from 
this circumstance, that there still appeared somewhat of 
his shadow in the former place. Then he came to those who 
were naked: they were seen walking together two and 
two, husband and wife, haying a covering about the loins, 
and also around the head. That spirit, when he was with 
these inhabitants, was led into the state in which he was 
in the world when he was disposed to preach, and in- 
stantly said that he would preach before them the Lord 
crucified ; but they said they were not willing to hear 
any such thing, because they knew not what was meant 
by the Lord crucified, but knew that the liord is living. 
He then said that he would preach the living Lord ; but 
this also they refused to hear, saying that they perceived 
in lus discourse somewhat not heavenly, because it had 
mnch respect to himself, his own fame and reputation; 
that they could distinguish from the tone of voice, whe- 
ther the discourse came from the heart or not 1 and that 
hence they pronounced him incapable of teaching them ; 
wherefore he was silent. During his life in the world he 
had been a very pathetic preacher, so that he could excite 
in his hearers very holy influences : but this pathetic 
manner had been acquired by art, consequently it was 
derived from self and the world, and not from heaven. 

163. They said, moreover, that they had a perception 
whether there was any thing coiy'ugial with those of their 
nation who are naked ; and it was shewn that they per 
ceive this by virtue of a spiritual idea concerning mar- 
riage, which idea being communicated to me was to this 
effect, that a likeness of interiors was formed b^ t\i&c&>'^> 
Junction of goodness aad Uu.\»\x, ^ixsftn^^'&^l ^Wsv^<«s^ 



112 ON THE EABTHB IN THS XTNIYBBBE. 

faith, and &a,t coi^ug^al love exialed Anud. that coq}iii 

tlon descending b; inflnx into the body; for all iiiiiigi 
the mind are preeented in lome natnral appeannos 
the bad;, consequent!; in the appearance of coiuaff 
loTo, when the interiors of two personi matnally k 
each oilier, and also by virtue of that lore are desirooa 
vill and to think the one as the other, and thos to abi 
and be joined together aa to the interiors of the min 
Hence spiritual affection, which is of the mind, becooi 
natural affecljon in the body, and clothes itself with t 
sense of conjugial love. Spiritual affection of the mil 
ia the affection of goodness aud truth, and of thi 
Gonjnnclion ; for all things of the mind, or of t! 
thought and the will, have relaUon to truth and goo 
They said further that it is altogether imposdble f 
anything coiyugisl to exist between one man ai 
several wives, mssmuch as the marriage of goodnc 
and truth, which ia of the mind, can exist only betwei 

164. After this the above spirit came to those wl 
wei-e naked, bnt whoso bodies were inflamed; andl&stl 
to those who were black, some of whom were naked, at 
some clothed ; but both the latter and the farmer dwt 
in a distant part of the same earth ; for a spirit may 1 
led in an inMant to places far asunder, inasmuch as 1 
does not proceed and advance like man by spaces, but 1 
changes of state. See above, n. 125, 127." 

1Q5. I lastly discoursed with the spirits of that ean 
concerning the belief of the inhabitants of our earth 
regard to a reaarrection, in that they cannot oonceive th 
men come intothe other life Immedialety after death, ai 
then appear like men as to the face, the body, the arm 
the feet, and all the external and internal senses ; sb 
less can they conceive that they arc then clothed in n 
nient and that they have places of abode and habitation 
Aad this BoMy b/ reason that most of them think fro: 
aeasusi tbinga, wbicb are of the body, and UieveCore the 
iieliere ia the cxuleace of uotliiag but. vkw.^ \ibej wift «: 



OP A FOTJltTH EARTH IK THE STAHRY HEAVEN. 113 

touch; and that few can be withdrawn from external 
and sensnal things to interior things, and thus be 
elevated into the light of heaven, in which such 
things are perceived. Hence it is, that in regard to 
the soul or spirit, they cannot form any idea of it as a 
man, but* as of wind, of air, or of a phantom without 
form, in which notwithstanding there is something vital. 
This is the reason why they do not believe that they shall 
rise again till the end of the world, which they call the 
last judgment, at which time they suppose that the body, 
although mouldered into dust, and dissipated to all the 
winds, will be brought back again and joined to its soul or 
spirit. I added, that it is permitted they should thus 
believe, inasmuch as it cannot otherwise be conceived by 
those who think, as was said, from things external and 
sensual, than that the soul or spirit cannot live as a man 
in a human form, unless it receives again that body with 
which it was clothed in the world; wherefore unless it 
was asserted that that body is to rise again, they would 
reject from the heart the doctrine concerning a resurrec- 
tion and eternal life as incomprehensible. 

But still this thought concerning a resurrection has 
this advantage attending it, that they believe in a 
life after death, the consequence of which belief is, 
that when they lie on a sick bed, and their thoughts 
are not influenced as before by worldly and corporeal 
things, that is, by things of sense, they then believe 
that they shall live immediately after their decease; 
they then also speak about heaven, and about the hope of 
living there immediately after death, with ideas very 
difierent from those suggested by their doctrine concern- 
ing the last judgment. I related further, that it had 
sometimes been matter of surprise to me, that when 
they who are in faith speak of a life after death, and 
of their friends and relatives who are deceased, and at 
such times do not think about the last judgment, they 
then believe that their friends and rel&tm«»lv^^«&\fikSicsL 
immediately on their deceaao *, >>uV» \)ci^& \^<^,^si "^^^^ 



114 OK TfiE UARTfiS IK THE TTNIVERSK. 

ever a thought concerning the last judgment flows in, is 
changed into a material idea concerning their terrestrial 
body^ that it is again to be joined to their soul ; for they 
do not know that every man is a spirit as to his in- 
teriors, and that it is this spirit which lives in the body 
and in all its parts, and not the body which lives of itself; 
and that it is from the spirit of every one that the body 
has its human form, consequently it is the spirit of every 
one which is principally the man, and yet in like form as 
man, but invisible to the eyes of the body, yet visible to 
the eyes of spirits. 

Hence also, when the sight of man's spirit is opened, 
which is effected by the removal of the bodily sight, 
angels appear as men : thus angels appeared to the 
ancients, according to what is written in the Word. In 
my discourse also with spirits, whom I had been 
acquainted with during their abode in the world, I have 
occasionally asked them whether they had any inclination 
be clothed again with their terrestrial bodies, as they 
had once thought would be the case. But they started at 
the very idea of such a conjunction, being full of con- 
fusion and amazement to think, that whilst they were in 
the world they should be under the influence of so blind 
a belief, void of all understanding. 

166. Moreover on that earth were seen the habitations 
of the inhabitants, which were low houses of a consider- 
able length, with windows on the sides according to the 
number of the rooms or chambers into which they were 
divided. The roof was semi-circular, and there was a 
door at each end. They said that th^y were built 
of earth, and covered with turf; and that the win- 
dows were constructed of threads oi grass so en- 
twined together as to render them transparent. Little 
children were also seen; and they said that neigh- 
bours visit them especially for the sake of their chil- 
dren, bo that they may be in company with other 
children in the presence and under the control of 
^Jieir parents, Tbexe appeared sAbo &^\^ft ImXV qI ^xqi^vdl^ 



OF A FtFTH EARTH IN THE STABRY HEAVEN. 116 

corn^ which was at that time nearly ripe for har- 
vest. The seeds or grains of their corn were shown, 
and they were like those of Chinese wheat. Some 
bread made thereof was also shown, which was in small 
square loaves. There appeared also plains of grass 
adorned with flowers, and trees laden with fruit like 
pomegranates, besides shrubs, which were not vines, but 
still produced berries of which they made wine. 

167. The sun of that earth, which is to us a star, ap- 
pears there flaming, in size about a fourth part of our 
sun. Their year is nearly two hundred days, and each 
day fifteen hours, computed according to the length of 
days on our earth. The earth itself is one of the least in 
the starry heaven, being scarcely five hundred German 
miles in circumference. This information was from the 
angels, who made a comparison in all these particulars 
with things of a like nature on our earth, according to 
what they saw in me, or in my memory. Their con- 
clusions were formed by angelic ideas, whereby are in- 
stantly known the measures of spaces and times, in a just 
proportion with respect to spaces and times elsewhere. 
Angelic ideas, which are spiritual, in such things, infinitely 
excel human ideas, which are natural. 



Ov A Fifth Earth in the Stabbt Heavbr, its 
Spirits and Inhabitants. 

168. I WAS led again to another earth which is in 
the universe out of our solar system, and on this 
occasion also by changes of state, continued nearly for 
twelve hours. There were in company with me several 
spirits and angels from our earth, with whom I dis- 
coursed in the way or in that progress. I was carried at 
times obliquely upwards and obliquely downwards, con- 
tinually towards the right, which in the other life is towards 
the south. In two places only I saw spirits, and in one 
I discoursed with them. In this JQVLitkfc^ ^^ Yt^^eKs». V 



116 ON THE EAETH8 m THE UNIVETISE. 

was enabled to observe how immense is the Lord's heayen, 
which is designed for angels and spirits ; for from the 
parts uninhabited I was led to conclade that it was so im- 
mense, that in case there were several myriads of earths, 
and on each earth a multitude of men equal in number 
to the inhabitants of our earth, there would be still a « 
place of abode for them to eternity, and it would never 
be filled. This I was enabled to conclude from a com- 
parison made with the extent of the heaven which is 
about our earth and designed for it, which extent was 
respectively so small, that it did not equal one ten 
thousandth thousandth part of the extent uninhabited. 

169. When the angelic spirits who were from that 
earth came into view, they accosted us, asking who we 
were, and what we wanted. We said that we came for 
the sake of journeying,' that we were directed thither, and 
that they had nothing to fear from us ; for they were 
afraid we were of those who disturb them in regard to 
God, to faith, and things of a like nature, on account 
of whom they had betaken themselves to that quarter 
of their earth, shunning them as much as possible. 
We asked them in what particalars they were disturbed. 
They replied, by an idea of three, and by an idea of 
the divine without the human, in God, when they 
yet knew and perceived that God is one, and that 
He is a man. It was then perceived by us that they 
who disturb them, and whom they sh\inned, were from 
our earth. This was manifest also from this considera- 
tion, that there are spirits from our earth who thus 
wander about in the other life in consequence of their 
fondness for and delight in travelling, which they have 
contracted in the world; for on other earths there is 
no such custom of travelling. It was afterwards dis- 
covered that they were monks, who had travelled on our 
globe from a desire of converting the gentiles ; wherefore 
we told them that they did well to shun such spirits, be- 
cause their intention was not to teach, but to secure gala 
^ad domimon ; And that they study \s% n«xVo\]a «£\a to>^ \a 



OF A^ FIFTH EAETH IN THE STAEEY HEAVEN. 117 

captivate men's minds, bat afterwards to subject them to 
themselves as slaves : moreover, that they did well in not 
suffering their ideas concerning God to be disturbed by 
such. 

They informed us further, that the above spirits con- 
fuse them by asserting that they ought to have faith and 
to believe the things they declare ; but their reply to 
this was, that they knew not what faith or believing 
meant, since they perceive in themselves that thus 
it is. They were of the Lord's celestial kingdom, 
where all know from an interior perception the truths 
which with us are called the truths of faith, for they are 
in illumination from the Lord ; but it is otherwise with 
those who are in the spiritual kingdom. That the angelic 
spirits of that earth were of the Lord's celestial king* 
dom, it was granted me to see, from the flaming ap- 
pearance whence their ideas flowed ; forl^he light in the 
celestial kingdom is flaming, and in the spiritual king- 
dom it is white. They who are of the celestial kingdom, 
when the discourse is about truths, can say no more than 
yea, yea, or nay, nay, and never reason about truths 
whether they be so or not. These are they of whom the 
Lord speaks in these words, " Let your discourse be yea, 
yea, and nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than this 
Cometh of eyiZ." 

Hence it was that those spirits said that they did 
not know what is meant by having faith or believing. 
They consider an exhortation to believe, like a person's 
saying to his companion who sees houses or trees with 
his own eyes, that he ought to have faith or to believe 
that they are houses and trees, when he sees clearly that 
they are so. Such are they who are of the Lord's celes- 
tial kingdom, and such were these angelic spirits.^* 

■^ That heaven is distinguished into two kingdoms, one of 
which is called the celestial kingdom, the other the spiiitoal 
kingdom, n. 3887, 4138. That the angels in the celestial king- 
dom have vastly more knowled^^e «s\!aL -w^i^ssoi. •Ombbcs. SJq^ 
anfirels in the spiritual kingdom, u. •2n\^. "Y^-aX. "<5^'5i ^'^^sS<Js^ 
an^ela do not thiijt and speak Irom l«aS!Q.» ^^'ei ^^ «<gcE«sa»- 



118 ON THE EAKTHS IN THE TJNIVEESB. 

^M ^^ III t 

We told them that there are few on onr earth who have 
interior perception, hy reason that they learn tmths in 
their youth, and do not practise ihem : for man has two 
faculties, which are called understanding and will ; they 
who admit truths no further than into the memory, and 
thence in some small degree into the understanding, and 
not into the life, that is, into the will, these, inasmuch as 
they are not capable of any illumination or interior sight 
from the Lord, say that those truths are to be believed, or 
that they are objects of faith, and also reason concerning 
them whether they be truths or not ; yea, they are not 
willing that they should be perceived by any interior 
sight, or by a kind of illumination in the understanding. 
They say this, because truths with them are without 
light from heaven, and to those who see without light 
from heaven, what is false may appear like what is true« 
and what is true like what is false ; hence so great blind- 
ness has seized several on onr earth, that although they 
do not practise truths or live according to them, still 
they say that they may be saved by faith alone, as if it 
were the mere knowledge of things appertaining to faith 
which constitute man, and not a life according to that 
knowledge. 

We afterwards discoursed with them concerning the 
Lord, concerning love to Him, concerning neighbourly 
love, and concerning regeneration. In regard to the 
Lord, we said that to love Him is to love the command- 
ments which are from Him, which is from love to do 
those commandments ;^^^ in regard to neighbourly love, 
that it consists in willing good and thence doing good to 
a fellow-citizen, to a man's country, to the church, or to 
the Lord's kingdom, not with a view to vain applause, or 

angels, but from an internal perception that a thing is so, n. 202, 
697, 607, 784, 1121, 1387, 1398, 1442, 1919, 7680, 7877, 8780. That 
^e celestd&l angeis say only concerning the truths of faith, yea 
J^GB, ornayzmy, hut thaJb the spiritual angels reason whether it 
'*%SPJ^^otBo, n. 202, 337, 2716, 3246, 4446, ftlW. 
•** TJiat to love the Lord is to live according Vi'a\B ^XMwwaap 
menes, n, 10,143, 10,163, 10,310, 10,578, 10,6«. 



OF A PIFTH EAETH IN THE STARRY HEAVEN. 119 

to establish self-merit, but from an affection of good.*^'*' 
Concerning regeneration, we observed that they who are 
regenerated by the Lord, and commit truths immediately 
to life, come into an interior perception concerning 
them; but that they who receive truths first in the 
memory, and afterwards will them and do them, are they 
who are in faith ; for they act from faith, which is then 
called conscience. They said that they perceived these 
things to be so, and thus perceived also what faith is. I 
discoursed with them by spiritual ideas, whereby such 
things may be exhibited and comprehended in light. 

170. The spirits with whom I now discoursed were 
from the northern part of their earth. I was afterwards 
led to those who were on the western part. -These also, 
being desirous to discover who and what I was, imme- 
diately said that there was nothing with me but evil, think- 
ing thus to deter me from approaching nearer. I was 
enabled to perceive that this was their manner of accost- 
ing all who come to them ; and it was granted me to 
reply that I well knew it to be so, and that with them also 
there was nothing but evil, by reason that every one is 
bom to evil, and therefore whatever comes from man, 
spirit, or angel, as from what is his own, or from his self- 
hood, is nothing but evil, inasmuch as all good with every 
one is from the Lord. Hence they perceived that I was 
in the truth, and I was admitted to discourse with them. 
They then shewed me their idea concerning evil with man, 
and concerning good from the Lord, how they are sepa- 
rated from each other. They placed one near the other, 
almost contiguous, but still distinct, yet as it were bound 
in a manner inexpressible, so that the good led the evil, 
and restrained it, insomuch that it was not allowed it to 
act at pleasure ; and that thus the good bended the evil in 

«" That neighbourly love consists in doing what is good, just, 
a~id right, in every work and in every function, from an a3BFec- 
t. m of what is good, just, and right, n. 8120— 8122^ 10^310^ 10 ^3a&. 
That a life of neighbourly \o\e \a ^ 'N^^ ^jwy!3t^ccs\%'Vi sjsasTSjRstSi'^. 
p omm an d ments, n. 3248, 



120 ON THE EAETHS IN THE UNIVEE8E. 

whatever direction it desired, without the evil knowing 
anything of it. In this manner they exhibited the 
dominion of good over evil, and at the same time a state 
of freedom. 

They then asked how the Lord appeared amongst the 
angels from our earth. I said that he appeared in the sun 
as a man, encompassed therein with solar fire, whence the 
angels in the heavens derive all light ; and that the heat 
which proceeds thence is Divine Good, and that the light 
which proceeds thence is Divine Truth, each originating 
in the Divine Love, which is that which is fiery appearing 
around the Lord in that sun ; but that sun only appears 
to the angels in heaven, and not to the spirits who are 
beneath, since they are more removed from the reception 
of the good of love and of the truth of faith, than the 
angels who are in the heavens. See above, n. 40. It 
was granted them thus to inquire concerning the Lord, 
and concerning His appearance before the angels from 
our earth, inasmuch as it pleased the Lord at that in- 
stant to present himself before them, and to reduce into 
order the things which had been disturbed by the evil 
spirits of whom they complained. This also was the 
reason why I was led thither, that I might be an eye- 
witness of these things. 

171. There was then seen an obscure cloud towards 

the east descending from on high, which in its descent 

appeared by degrees bright and in a human form. At 

length the human form appeared in a flaming beam, 

encompassed with small stars of the same colour ; 

thus the Lord presented Himself before the spirits with 

whom I was discoursing. At His presence all the spirits 

thereabouts were instantly gathered together from all 

sides ; and when they were come they were separated, 

the good from the evil, the good to the right and the evil 

to the left, and this in an instant as of their own accord. 

Tliose on the right were arranged in order according to 

tAe quaiUjr of their good, and those on the \et\i tycx^oT^ii^ 

^ tie quality of their evil; and they ^\i0^ex^ «lfiQ^ 



OF A FIFTH EAETH IN THE STAERY HEAVEN. 121 

were left to form amongst themselves a heavenly society, 
but the evil were cast into hells. 

Afterwards I saw that the flaming beam descended to 
the lower parts of the earth thereabouts to a consider- 
able depth, and then it appeared at one time in a 
flaming lustre verging to lucidity, at another time in a 
lucidity verging to obscurity, and lastly in obscurity; 
and I was told by the angels that that appearance is 
according to the reception of truth from good, and of the 
false from evil, with those who inhabit the lower parts of 
that earth, and that the flaming beam itself was subject 
to no such variableness. I was told also, that the lower 
parts of that earth were inhabited both by the good and 
by the evil ; but that they were carefully separated, to 
the intent that the evil might be ruled by the good from 
the Lord. The angels added, that the good were by 
turns elevated thence into heaven by the Lord, and that 
others succeed in their place, and so on perpetually. In 
that descent the good were separated from the evil in 
like manner as above, and all things were reduced to 
order; for the evil, by various arts and cunning con- 
trivances, had insinuated themselves into the dwellings 
of the good there, and had infested them ; and this was 
the cause of the present visitation. That cloud, which 
in descending appeared by degrees bright and in a Human 
form, and afterwards as a beam of flaming lustre, was an 
angelic society with the Lord in the midst. Hence was 
shewn the meaning of the Lord's words in the Gospels, 
where, speaking of the last judgment, He says, " That 
He should come toiih the angels in the cUmds of heaven, 
with glory and power" 

172. Afterwards there were seen some monkish 
spirits, namely, such as had been travelling monks or 
missionaries in the world, of whom mention was made 
above; and there was also. seen a crowd of spirits who 
were from that earth, several of them evil, whom. th& 
mon^Bh. BpiiiiA had seduced mA dx«^Ti. ^^^ *^ \Y*^s««. 
their opinions ; these vere fteeu ^\x ^iJs^ft ^»5^Nk«^ ^'^^'^ ^ 



122 ON THE EAETH8 IN THE TJNIVER8B. 



that earth, from whence they drove away the good, who 
betook themselves to the northern side of the earth, of 
whom we have spoken above. That crowd with their 
seducers was collected into one body, amounting to some 
thousands, and was separated when the evil were cast 
into the hells. I was permitted to discourse with one 
spirit who was a monk, and to ask him what he did 
there. He replied that he taught them concerning the 
Lord. I asked, what besides. He said, concerning 
heaven and hell. 1 asked, what further. He said, con- 
cerning a belief in all that he should say. I asked 
again, if he taught anything else. He said, concerning 
the power of remitting sins, and of opening and shutting 
heaven. He was then examined as to what he knew con> 
cerning the Lord, concerning the truths of faith, con- 
cerning the remission of sins, concerning man's salva- 
tion, and concerning heaven and hell; and it was 
discovered that he knew scarce anything, that he was in 
obscurity and falsity concerning all and every truth on 
the above subjects, and that he was possessed solely by 
the lust of gain and dominion which he had contracted 
in the world and brought with him thence ; wherefore he 
was told that, inasmuch as he had travelled so &r as that 
earth under the instigation of that lust, and was so very 
ignorant in points of doctrine, he must needs deprive 
the spirits of that earth of celestial light, and cause in 
them the darkness of hell, and thus bring them nnder 
the dominion of hell, and not of the Lord. Moreover he 
was cunning and crafty to seduce others, but dull and 
stupid in heavenly things ; wherefore he was cast thence 
into hell. Thus the spirits of that earth were freed from 
those monkish spirits. 

173. The spirits of that earth mentioned also, amongst 

other particulars, that those strangers, who, as has been 

bM, were monkish spirits, used all their endeavours to 

persuade tbem to live in society, and not separate and 

Bolitary; for Bpirits and ange\a dweW aa^ ^«^^\^\j^\n.ll1ce 

^AtmeroB ia the world; they yrlno Yiar^^ ^^^\.\5x^^^ 



OF A FIFTH EARTH IN THE STAERY HEAVEN. 123 

lected state in tlie world, dwell also in a collected state in 
the other life ; and they who have dwelt in a separate state, 
divided into houses and families^ dwell also in a separate 
state in the other life. These spirits on their earth, whilst 
they lived there as men, had dwelt in a separate state, 
house and house, families and families, and thus nation 
and nation apart, and hence they knew not what it was 
to dwell together in society ; wherefore when it was told 
them that those strangers wished to persuade them to 
dwell in society, to the intent that they might reign and 
rule over them, and that they could not otherwise subject 
them to themselves and make them slaves, they replied 
that they were totally ignorant what was meant by 
reigning and ruling. That they fiy away at the very 
idea of rule and dominion, was made manifest to me 
-from this circumstance, that one of them, who accom- 
panied us back again, when I shewed him the city in 
which I dwelt, at the first sight of it fied away, and was 
no more seen. 

174. I then discoursed with the attendant angels 
concerning dominion, observing that there were two 
kinds of dominion, one of neighbourly love, and the other 
of self-love ; and that the dominion of neighbourly love 
exists amongst those who dwell separated into houses, 
families, and nations ; whereas the dominion of self love 
exists amongst those who dwell together in society. 
Amongst those who live separated into houses, families, 
and nations, he has dominion who is the father of the 
nation, and under him the father of families, and under 
these the fathers of each particular house : he is called 
the father of the nation in whom the families originate, 
from which families the houses are derived ; but all these 
exercise a dominion of love, like that of a father towards 
his children, who teaches them how they ought to live, 
provides for their good, and to the utmost of his power, 
distributes amongst ijiem what he possesses ; and it 
never enters into his mind to RuViiecY. \^iea\.\.^V\\£!kA^,^^ 
subjecta or as BevYAnli, but \x'i \onq^ V)aa,\. ^^l ^<5>^^ 



124 ON THE EAETHS IN THE TJNIYEBSE. 

obey him as children obey their father : and inasmnch as 
this love increases in 4escending, as is generally known, 
therefore the father of the nation acts from more inward 
love than the father himself from whom the children are 
next descended. 

Such also is the dominion which exists in the heavens, 
inasmuch as such is the Lord's dominion : for His 
dominion is from the Divine Love towards the whole 
human race. But the dominion of self-love, which is 
opposite to the dominion of neighbourly love, began 
when man alienated himself from the Lord ; for in pro- 
portion as man does not love and worship the Lorc^ in 
the same proportion he loves and worships himself, and 
in the same proportion also he loves the world. Then it 
was, that, compelled by motives of self-preservation and 
security from injustice, nations, consisting of families 
and houses, cemented themselves into one body, and 
established governments under various forms ; for in pro- 
portion as self-love increased, in the same proportion all 
kinds of evil, as enmity, envy, hatred, revenge, cmelty 
and deceit, increased with it, being exercised towards all 
who opposed that love; because from the selfhood, 
which has rule in those who are in self-love, nothing 
but evil springs, inasmuch as man's selfhood is nothing 
else but mere evil, and consequently is not receptive, of 
any good from heaven. 

Hence self-love, whilst it has dominion, is the father of 
all such evils -^^^ and it is also a love of such a nature, 

ddd That man's selfhood, which he derives from his parents, 
is nothing but dense evil, n. 210, 215, 731, 874, 876, 987, 1047, 
2307, 2318, 3518, 3701, 3812, 8480, 8550, 10,283, 10,284, 10,286, 10,731. 
That man's selfhood consists in loving himself more than God, 
and the world more than heaven, and in making light of Ids 
neighbour in respect to himself, except it be for the sa^e of him- 
self, and thus from motives of self-love and the love of the 
world, n. 694, 731, 4317, 5660. That all evils flow from self-love 
and the love of the world, when they have dominion, n. 1307, 1308, 
1321, 159i, 1691, 3il3, 7266, 7376, 7480, 7488, 8318, 9335, 9348, 10,038, 
20,T42. These evUa are contempt ot o\.Yien», €caxa.t>Y, hatred, 
revenue, cruelty, and deceit, n. 6667, 7^7^— 7^7\» «i^, \<5ifSS^ 
/!p,^. And that from these evUa every l«Mt^ ft.o^%,TiA^i«^ 
JO,283, 10,284, 10,286, 



OP A FITTS EARTH IN THE STARKY HEAVEN. 125 

that where it is left without restraint, it grasps at a 
nniyersal dominion over the whole earth, and wishes to 
possess the property of all ; nay, it is not even content 
with thiS; bnt would have dominion over heaven also, as 
may appear from the example of modem Babylon. Such 
then is the dominion of self-love, from which the dominion 
of neighbourly love differs as much as heaven does from 
hell. But notwithstanding the dominion of self-love is 
such in societies, or in kingdoms and empires, there is 
still existing a dominion of neighbourly love, even in 
those collective bodies of men, with those who are wise 
from faith and love towards God, for such love 
their neighbour. That such also in the heavens dwell 
distinct as to nations, families, and houses, although in 
societies together, but according to spiritual affinities, 
which have relation to the good of love and the truth of 
faith, by the divine mercy of the Lord will be shewn 
elsewhere. 

175. I afterwards questioned those spirits concerning 
various particulars in regard to the earth from whence 
they came, and first, concerning their divine worship, 
and concerning revelation. In regard to divine worship, 
they said that nations with their families, every thirtieth 
day, meet together in one place, and hear preaching; 
and that the preacher on those occasions, from a pulpit 
a little raised from the ground, teaches them 'Divine 
truths which lead to the good of life. In regard to revela- 
tion, they said that it is communicated early in the 
morning in a state between sleeping and waking, when 
they are in an interior light not as yet disturbed by the 
bodily senses and worldly things ; that on such occasions 
they hear the angels of heaven discoursing concerning 
Divine Truths, and concerning a life in conformity there- 
to ; and that when they awake, an angel appears to 
them in a white garment by the bed-side, and then 
suddenly vanishes out of sight; and that hereby they 
know that what they heard was from heaven. Thn& 
divine riaion is distingnislied ftom. y\&\Q\L tl^X. ^\xvsl% \\^^ 



126 ON THE EAUTHS IK THE TJNIVEESE. 

in vision not divine no angel appears. They added, that 
in this manner revelations aie made to their preachers, 
and sometimes also to others. 

176. On questioning them concerning their houses, 
they said, that they were low, being built of wood, 
with a fiat roof, having a cornice sloping downwards; 
and that in front dwelt the husband and wife, in the next 
chamber the children, and the men-servants and maid- 
servants at the back. In regard to food, they said that 
they drink milk with water, and have it from cows, 
which are woolly like sheep. Of their manner of life, 
they said that they go naked, and are not ashamed of it ; 
also that their connexions are with those of their own 
families. 

177. In regard to the sun of that earth they related 
that it appears to the inhabitants of a flaming coloux^; 
that the length of their years is two hundred days, and 
that a day equals nine hours of our time, which they 
could conclude from the length of the days of our earth 
perceivable in me; and further, that they have a per- 
petual spring and summer, and consequently that the 
fields are ever green, and the trees ever bearing fruit : the 
reason of this is, because their year is so short, being 
equal only to seventy-five days of our time ; and when 
this is the case, the cold does not continue long in winter, 
nor the heat in summer, and consequently the ground is 
continually green. 

178. Concerning the ceremonies preparatory to and 
attending marriage, they related that a daughter, when 
she arrives at marriageable a^e, is kept at home, nor is 
she allowed to leave the house till the day she is to be 
married ; that then she is conducted to a certain connubial 
house, where . also several other young women arrived 
at the same age have been brought, and there they are 
placed behind' a screen, which reaches to the middle 
of the body, so that they appear naked as to the 

breast and face: and that then young men come 
thither to cbooBe for themselves a iR\k\ wv^ ^\x^u 



0^ A ^ITTH EAETS IN THE STAREY HEAVEK. 127 

a young man sees 'a young woman that seems to suit him, 
and to whom his mind inclines him, he takes her by 
the hand ; if she then follows him, he leads her to a 
house prepared for the purpose, and she becomes his wife ; 
for they discover from the face whether they agree in 
mind, inasmuch as every one's face on that earth is an 
index of the mind, being free from deceit and dissimula- * 
tion. For the preservation of decency, and to suppress 
lasciviousness, an aged man is seated behind the young 
women, and an aged woman at the side of them, and they 
observe. There are several such places to which the 
young women are conducted : and also stated times for 
the young men to make their choice ; for if they do not 
find a young woman to suit them in one place, they go 
to another ; and if not at one time, they return again at 
a future time. They said farther, that a husband has 
only one wife, and in no case more, because this is con- 
trary to Divine order. 



THE BMP. 



BBAPBUBY, AQMEW, & CO., ^niHTIBa; ^'BXi:iX¥.\KS)a^.